TheCable

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed eight fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists during a raid of a “notorious enclave” in the Sambisa forest in Borno.

In a statement on Monday, Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said troops conducted the operation on March 10.

Nwachukwu said the troops overpowered the terrorists during a gun battle noting that many of the insurgents sustained gunshot wounds.

“In a display of gallantry, Nigerian army troops in conjunction with  hybrid force elements, have successfully neutralized 8 Boko Haram (BHT)/ ISWAP terrorists at Ukuba, a notorious terrorists’ enclave in Sambisa forest,” the statement reads.

“The operation, which took place on Sunday 10 March 2024, witnessed a fierce gun battle that inflicted severe losses on the terrorists’ group, compelling them to retreat and abandon their camp in disarray.

“A thorough search of the captured camp by the gallant troops led to the recovery of 5 locally fabricated double barrel guns, 2 motorbikes and assorted foodstuff, belonging to the terrorists.”

The army spokesperson said the troops, during another operation in Katsina, killed two terrorists and rescued a kidnap victim.

He said the troops raided terrorist hideouts in Birgima, Ungwan Noma, Katoge, and Pauwa villages in Kankara LGA of Katsina.

He said the troops recovered three AK-47 Rifles, eight magazines, 57 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three Baofeng radio sets, 12 Baofeng radio chargers and one Bandolie

He added that the troops also destroyed two motorbikes and makeshift structures in the insurgents’ camp.

“In the same vein, troops have cleared Dandalla, Madada, Dogon Karfe, Hayi, Gobirawan and Kango Kuyambana villages in Gusau and Maru local government areas of Zamfara state,” he said.

“In the encounter with the insurgents, troops neutralized 2 of them and recovered one AK- 47 rifle, 3 fabricated guns, 2 rounds of Anti- Aircraft ammunition, one motorbike and 2 solar panels.”

The army spokesperson said the troops busted a firearm production factory operated by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and the Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) located between Abia and Eboyin states.

“The dissidents’ camp, which was used for fabricating fire arms and production of ammunition was fortified with fire trenches/sand bag parapets and powered by a 15 KVA generator,” he added.

“The vigilant troops recovered 2 fabricated AK-47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb, 2 IPOB/ESN flags, as well as welding and filing machines from the the factory.”