Troops kill top B/Haram Commander, 10 others in Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ (OPHK) have killed a Boko Haram commander identified as Abu Khalid, alongside 10 other terrorists in Sambisa.

This happened a day after troops under Sector 1 and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force ‘Operation Desert Sanity’ killed Julaibib, operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle.

A statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters of Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said the successes were recorded on Saturday night after troops made contact with the terrorists at Komala general area, Konduga LGA of Borno State.

“Barely 24 hours after troops eliminated the notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, Julaibib, operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, troops of Sector 1, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) on Operation Desert Sanity, made contact with terrorists at the Komala general area of Konduga LGA during night offensives at about 11pm. Abu Khalid was a key figure within the terrorist hierarchy, coordinating operations and logistics in the Sambisa axis.

“Following the successful engagement, troops recovered five (5) AK-47 rifles, magazines, several bicycles, assorted logistics and food items, as well as huge medical consumables.

“No casualty was recorded among our own troops during the operation. Troops’ morale remains high as clearance operations continue across the Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu Triangle and other known hideouts of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East region.

“The Joint Task Force (North East) reaffirms its commitment to sustaining the tempo of operations until all terrorist elements are neutralised, and lasting peace and economic stability are restored to the region.

Scores of bandits neutralised in Zamfara

Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised scores of bandits during a coordinated ground and air operation on the camp of a notorious bandit kingpin, Gwaska Dan Karmi, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Lt.-Col. Olaniyi Osoba, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

Osoba said the operation was carried out by troops of the 8 Division under Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, following credible intelligence that more than 100 bandits had assembled at the camp to plan large-scale attacks on nearby communities and military supply routes.

According to him, after days of sustained surveillance, ground troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), stormed the bandits’ enclave on January 31, triggering a fierce firefight.

He explained that the bandits attempted to flank and encircle the advancing troops but were overwhelmed by the military’s superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres.

Osoba said many of the terrorists were neutralised, while others fled with gunshot wounds. He added that the camp was set ablaze before the troops tactically withdrew from the area.

He further said the NAF component was conducting interdiction missions to intercept fleeing bandits, while ground forces continued to dominate the area to prevent the criminals from regrouping.

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