Troops repel ISWAP attack, neutralise 38 terrorists in Borno

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Recovered ammunition

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Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have repelled a multi-front attack by ISWAP terrorists on a Forward Operating Base at Mandaragirau in Borno.

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A statement by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday.

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Uba said the troops responded with a coordinated offensive-defensive action, forcing the terrorists into a disorderly withdrawal.

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He added that the Air Component of OPHK provided close air support, as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), which enhanced precision targeting during the engagement.

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“Subsequent exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes inflicted further heavy losses on the fleeing insurgents,” he said.

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According to him, a total of 38 terrorists were neutralised, with eight bodies recovered within the immediate area of engagement.

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He said credible human intelligence from local sources indicated that more than 30 additional terrorist bodies and abandoned weapons were sighted along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis into the Timbuktu Triangle.

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“This was evidenced by blood trails and scattered equipment along the withdrawal routes,” he said.

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Uba further disclosed that troops recovered seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs and assorted ammunition from the scene.

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He said no fatalities were recorded among the troops, although one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by RPG fire, with injured personnel stabilised.

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The spokesman said the operation had boosted the morale of local communities and underscored the sustained dominance of troops in denying terrorists freedom of action.

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He added that further exploitation operations were ongoing to recover more equipment and consolidate gains.

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Uba said the Military High Command had commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational tempo in the North East.

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(NAN)

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