Troops overrun terrorists’ stronghold in Lake Chad Region

The Nigerian Army, in conjunction with a hybrid force and elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force, has successfully overrun Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ stronghold in Lake Chad Region.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday in Abuja.

He said the offensive operation was conducted on Wednesday, with a fierce battle leading to the killing of three terrorists and recovery of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.

Other items recovered are a truckmounted anti-aircraft gun and a cache of arms and ammunition.

He said the insurgents attacked the troops with a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), mortar, gun trucks, and motorbikes.

Nwachukwu said the insurgents fell under the overwhelming superior firepower of the troops, forcing them to abandon their stronghold, armaments, and equipment in disarray.

According to him, the operation proved to be a major setback to the insurgents, as the gallant troops neutralised three terrorists.

“Items recovered are one MRAP, one gun truck, one Dushka machine gun, one AK 47 rifle, and one locally fabricated gun.

“Troops also captured one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Bomb, 273 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one pumping machine, 65 Dushka links, 48 General Purpose Machine Gun links, and three motorbikes.

“The gallant troops are presently exploiting their success in pursuit of the routed insurgents,” he said.

Nwachukwu said the Nigerian army troops, in a separate operation at criminals’ hideouts in Katakpa Village in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, eliminated one criminal.

He said the troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action semiautomatic rifle, three AK-47 magazines, and 90 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition.

According to him, the Chief of Army Staff has commended the troops for the successful operations and charged them to remain resilient and sustain the momentum of the operations.