Troops from the 151 Task Force Battalion, Operation Hadin Khayi (OPHK) neutralize 47 Boko Haram terrorists. They also recovered three Hilux vehicles in the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
At least 135 Boko Haram terrorists and their families have also surrendered to Nigerian forces at the city council of Bama, Borno State. Soldiers also rescued two humanitarian workers, while patrolling the southern fringe of the forest on Saturday.
A counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed in Maiduguri that the terrorists were killed. The troops, however, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hybrid forces, stormed their hideouts at Gargash in Bama.
He said the terrorists were hibernating in the general area to launch an attack on Banki. Banki is a Nigerian community bordering Cameroun before the troops intercepted them.
According to him, the rescued humanitarian workers were abducted in Monguno last year.
The expert disclosed, yesterday, that the surrender of the terrorists followed the sustained offensives by OPHK in Sambisa Forest.
The counter-insurgency expert said the terrorists laid down their arms a week after troops of the 21 Armoured Brigade of OPHK and the 199 Special Forces Battalion in collaboration with CJTF stormed the terrorists’ hideouts.
“About 35 terrorists were killed in the joint operations in Bama local council areas,” he added.
The Guardian gathered that the surrendered terrorists and their family members, including three males, six females and 13 children, were from Nguru Soye and Kelani villages.
Similarly, a male, five females and six children from Kauri, Siraja and Lene Hassana villages surrendered to troops of the 151 Battalion at the Banki Junction along Bama/Gwoza road.
“There were additional 113 insurgents from Balangaje, Bula-Waziri, Bula-Kurma and Sabil-Huda villages that surrendered to the troops of 192 Battalion in Yamteke”, he added.
All the repentant Boko Haram terrorists, according to him, were handed over to the authorities for profiling.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Maj. Gen. A. E. Abubakar, charged the gallant troops to defeat the terrorists and restore peace in the North East.
In Anka Local Council of Zamfara State, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), ambushed bandits. This point led to Dan Kampani, killing three of the hoodlums and recovering arms and ammunition.
Spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj-Gen. Musa Danmadami noted that troops made contact with the bandits. Following a gunfight, three of the terrorists were neutralised.
He said –
“Items recovered are, one PKT gun with 48 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition, three AK-47 rifles, three magazines with 63 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and three motorcycles.
“The military high command commends troops of OPHD and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on terrorists and other criminal activities within their area.”
The area had been facing series of terrorists attacks in recent times. Presently, many residents are reportedly unable to attend the morning prayer due to fear.
cc: Guardian Ng
