38 ISWAP fighters killed in joint ground, air operations in Northeast
Not fewer than 38 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were killed in a coordinated operation involving ground troops and the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, a military
- From Musa Umar Bologi, Abuja
Not fewer than 38 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were killed in a coordinated operation involving ground troops and the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, a military offensive against terrorists in North-East Nigeria.
The fighters were neutralised in the early hours of yesterday while attempting to attack the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mandaragirau, Sector 2.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Military Task Force, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, who disclosed this in a statement, explained that the troops engaged the terrorists through well-coordinated ambushes and a deliberate offensive-defensive response, forcing them into a disorderly withdrawal.
The military spokesperson added that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided close air support as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) feedback to enhance targeted kinetic operations.
He said: “Subsequent exploitation along the terrorists' withdrawal routes inflicted further heavy losses.
“A total of about 38 terrorists were neutralised with eight bodies recovered so far within the immediate engagement area and human intelligence from locals confirming over 30 additional terrorists' bodies and weapons strewn along Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis into the Timbuktu Triangle.
“This was evidenced by blood trails and abandoned equipment.”
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According to him, troops recovered seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs and assorted ammunition after the engagement.
Uba said the military recorded no fatalities, but one personnel was injured and one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) fired by enemy forces.
He said: “The scale of enemy losses has triggered widespread jubilation among local communities and highlights the sustained dominance of OPHK troops in denying terrorists freedom of action.”
Uba said the troops have continued exploitation operations along the Garin Mallum and Garin Gajere axis, at the fringes of the Timbuktu Triangle, to “recover the terrorists' corpses left behind and consolidate gains.”
