Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have killed four terrorists and recovered weapons after foiling separate attacks on two Forward Operating Bases in Borno State.
The attacks targeted FOB Gajiram in Nganzai Local Government Area and FOB Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area on September 17.
Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the developments in a statement issued on Friday.
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Goni said troops first detected terrorists advancing towards Gajiram with support from Multinational Joint Task Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets.
The troops took defensive positions while the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided close air support, forcing the attackers to withdraw from the area.
Later that night, fighters identified by the military as members of the Islamic State West Africa Province attacked FOB Mairari.
The attackers encountered stiff resistance from ground troops backed by air support, with the military saying the assault was contained and casualties inflicted on the terrorists.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of four terrorists’ bodies, AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition, RPG bombs and a camcorder.
Some soldiers sustained injuries during the engagements and were stabilised before being airlifted to hospital for medical treatment.
Following the attacks, the affected bases were reinforced while troops continued operations in surrounding areas to prevent the terrorists from regrouping.
In a related development, two members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, including a Qaid, or commander, surrendered to troops of Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI on September 16.
The surrender occurred along the Miyanti-Darel Jamel axis in Bama Local Government Area.
The military said the two surrendered with three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, a motorcycle and a quantity of ammunition.
They remain in military custody for preliminary investigation and profiling.
Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, commended the troops, the MNJTF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance team and the aircrew involved in the operations.
He reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to maintaining pressure on terrorist groups and protecting communities across the North-East.
Ajose also urged terrorists still operating in the bush to surrender through established channels and called on members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information.
