Troops k!ll 17 insurgents, seize weapons in Borno

Troops kill 17 insurgents, seize weapons in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with local vigilantes, have neutralised 17 suspected terrorists and disrupted a logistics supply operation during a coordinated ambush in Borno state.

The operation was carried out in the early hours of December 21 as part of ongoing kinetic operations in the north-east.

According to a statement by the military, the troops acted on credible intelligence indicating the movement of logistics supplies by suspected Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements.

Troops, members of the civilian joint task force (CJTF) and local hunters were deployed to a designated interception point between Sojiri and Kayamla villages on the night of December 20.

“At about 2:24 am on December 21, suspected terrorists riding bicycles arrived at the location conveying logistics materials, confirming earlier intelligence,” the statement reads.

The military said troops, positioned in concealed and coordinated formations, engaged the insurgents in a decisive exchange of fire.

“Seventeen suspected terrorists were neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” the statement added.

Items recovered at the scene include several bicycles, assorted food items, drugs and medical supplies, detergents, clothing materials, bicycle tyres, torchlights, assorted weapons of different calibres and ammunition.

The ambush team was said to have safely withdrawn to its base at about 4:20 am, with exploitation and follow-up operations ongoing to further assess the area and deny insurgents freedom of movement.