Troops K!ll ‘20 ISWAP Terrorists,’ Repel Coordinated Att∆ck On Yobe Military Base
Troops Kill ‘20 ISWAP Terrorists,’ Repel Coordinated Attack On Yobe Military Base
The Nigerian military disclosed this in a statement dated March 11, but officially released on Thursday and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed more than 20 suspected terrorists and repelled a coordinated attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a military position in Yobe State.
The Nigerian military disclosed this in a statement dated March 11, but officially released on Thursday and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai.
According to the statement, the attack occurred between the night of Monday, March 9, and the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, when insurgents launched a coordinated assault on troops stationed in Goniri under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai.
The military said the terrorists attempted to surround the troops by advancing from multiple directions, including Goniri village and the Ngamdu junction axis.
However, the troops reportedly detected the movement of the insurgents using surveillance assets and responded with heavy firepower, preventing the attackers from overrunning the base.
“The vigilant and gallant troops responded swiftly with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvre, effectively coordinating their defensive actions,” the statement said.
Reinforcements were subsequently deployed to the area while the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided close air support during the battle.
The military said the insurgents were eventually forced to retreat after suffering heavy casualties during the intense firefight.
According to the statement, over 20 terrorists were killed during the operation, including a senior commander identified as Abu Yusu, described as the Munzir of Dursula.
Troops also recovered several weapons and items abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
Recovered items include machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombs and assorted ammunition of various calibres.
The military further disclosed that follow-up clearance operations in the Gwaigomari area within the Timbuktu Triangle led to the discovery of additional bodies of terrorists during patrols conducted up to the early hours of Wednesday, March 11.
Some soldiers injured during the clash have been evacuated for treatment and are said to be in stable condition.
The military added that the base in Goniri remains under the firm control of Operation Hadin Kai troops, while ground forces supported by air assets have continued aggressive operations in nearby areas.
According to the statement, search operations are ongoing in surrounding communities where some wounded terrorists are suspected to have fled.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their efforts and reaffirmed its commitment to defeating insurgency and restoring peace to the North-East region.
