The Nigerian Army, yesterday, said its troops, in collaboration with hybrid forces, killed eight terrorists while several others fled with gunshot injuries during an operation conducted in Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the troops had, during a raid on Sambisa forest on March 8, 2024, killed three terrorists and destroyed their hideouts in the forest.
Nwachukwu, in a statement, said five locally fabricated double barrel guns, two motorbikes, and assorted foodstuffs belonging to the terrorists were recovered during the operation.
The statement read: “The Nigerian Army troops, in conjunction with hybrid force elements, have successfully neutralised eight Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists at Ukuba; a notorious terrorists’ enclave in Sambisa Forest. The operation, which took place on Sunday, March 10, 2024, witnessed a fierce gun battle that inflicted severe losses on the terrorist group, compelling them to retreat and abandon their camp in disarray.
“A thorough search of the captured camp by the gallant troops led to the recovery of five locally fabricated double barrel guns, two motorbikes and assorted foodstuff, belonging to the terrorists”.
Onyema also said in a similar operation conducted in Katsina, two terrorists were killed.
The statement added: “In a separate clearance operation on the same day in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, troops cleared Dan Birgima, Ungwan Noma, Katoge, and Pauwa Villages. During the operation, troops gunned down two insurgents in combat and recovered three AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 57 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three Baofeng radio sets, 12 Baofeng radio chargers and one Bandolier.
“The troops also rescued a civilian, who had been in captivity of the insurgents for days. Two motorcycles and makeshift structures in the insurgents’ camp were also destroyed by the troops.”
The army spokesman said: “In the same vein, troops have cleared Dandalla, Madada, Dogon Karfe, Hayi, Gobirawan and Kango Kuyambana villages in Gusau and Maru Local Government Areas of Zamfara State. In the encounter with the insurgents, troops neutralised two of them and recovered an AK-47 rifle, three fabricated guns, two rounds of anti-aircraft raft ammunition, one motorbike, and two solar panels.”
He said another operation was conducted by troops in Abia and Ebonyi states, leading to the destruction of the Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) fighters’ hideouts, and destruction of arms produced in the destroyed camps.
He said: “In Southeastern Nigeria, troops, on Sunday, March 10, 2024, successfully raided and destroyed IPOB/ ESN fighters’ firearms production factory located between Ekoli Edda and Amangwu Ohafia communities in Abia and Eboyin states, respectively.
“The dissidents’ camp, which was used for fabricating firearms and production of ammunition was fortified with fire trenches/sandbag parapets and powered with a 15 KVA Generator.
“The vigilant troops recovered two fabricated AK-47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb, two IPOB/ESN flags, as well as welding and filing machines from the factory.”
