Troops arrest 24 B/Haram militants, clear 6 villages

Troops from Sector 1 of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) with Tactical Headquarters in Makary, Northern Cameroun, have arrested 24 suspected Boko Haram militants during clearance operations along Nigeria’s border with Cameroun.

A statement from the MNJTF spokesman, Colonel Muhammad Dole, yesterday said the troops on Operation ‘Gama Aiki’ cleared six villages during the operation which was embarked upon to rout fleeing Boko Haram militants.

He added that the militants in an attempt to escape were migrating to some villages. Acting on credible information, Colonel Dole said the troops successfully cleared the six villages occupied by the militants, seized some equipment and apprehended 24 suspects.

The villages include: Sagui, Kirta-Woulgo, Gore Mahamat, Gore Blangafe, Chaugry and Damboure while the seized equipment include 20 outboat engines, 2 motorcycles, 9 power generating sets, 1 solar panel, 1 grinding machine, 1 handset, flags and some Islamic books.

Dole said one soldier was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and another was wounded and lost one of his limbs during the operation.

He said the MNJTF Commander, Major General Lamidi Adeosun, commended the troops for their exceptional bravery during his operational assessment tour in Makary and encouraged traditional authorities in the area to set up vigilante groups to compliment the effort of security forces.

Dole added that General Adeosun on a similar visit to Sector 2 troops in Chad at their temporary harbour area in Littri, expressed delight with their exploits despite the difficult terrains and other challenges. He noted that they had been able to clear terrorists from some villages on the Lake Chad islands.