MNJTF kills 27 terrorists, rescues 6 female hostages

Troops of Operation Lake Sanity, MNJTF (Nigeria and Niger Republics troops) at forwarding Operations Base Arege conducted clearance operations in close coordination with the Air Task Force (ATF) and neutralized twenty-seven (27) ISWAP terrorists.

During the encounters, one soldier paid the supreme price while six (6) traumatized female BHTs hostages managed to escape and were found by troops

A statement from MNJTF headquarters said, “The ATF identified intelligence-driven targets which they engaged using multiple sorties in the vicinity of Tumbun Fulani and Tumbun Rago, where about twenty terrorists were neutralised.

“Ground forces then advanced and reached Tunbun Fulani but could not access Tunbun Rago due to marshy terrain.

READ ALSO: MNJTF eliminates 22 ISWAP fighters in 6 major operations

“The criminals on sighting the advancing troops fled and abandoned their checkpoint, pulled off their uniforms and left their rifles and other equipment behind.

“Tunbun Rago was found deserted with Boko haram corpses and a shallow grave containing Boko haram corpses discovered, as the criminals beat a hasty retreat.

“Relatedly, the MNJTF Nigerien troops of Sector 4 while on patrol in the general area of Ngagam – Kabalewa and N’guigmi engaged a group of fleeing terrorists, neutralised five BHT/ISWAP insurgents, destroyed two Gun trucks and a large stock of arms and ammunition were recovered.

“Sadly, one soldier paid the supreme sacrifice and few others were wounded in action, currently receiving treatment at a military hospital.

“In another encounter with Boko Haram Terrorists/ISWAP insurgents in the course of further clearance operations by MNJTF troops of Sector 1 (Cameroon) in the vicinity of Toumbuma, Kerenua, and Chikingudu neutralized 2 Boko haram criminals and maintained dominance in the area.

“At the end of the earlier battle engagement around Tunbun Fulani and Tunbun Rago, six (6) traumatized female BHTs hostages managed to escape and were found by own troops who then assisted them and brought them to own troop’s location.

“They were professionally handled and given medical care in the bush.

“The rescued women have been moved to Maiduguri for further processing and handover to the civil authorities before they rejoin their families.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the escapees who hailed from Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe states were kidnapped at different places and times by the evil and criminally minded BHTs/ISWAP ranging from October 2020 to April 2021.

The escapees are Grace Daniel age 38 years kidnapped at Mainok along Maiduguri Road On 18 December 2020, Susan Lazarus aged 28 years kidnapped at Kupre Hong LGA Adamawa on 9 April 2021 and Jumai Inuwa aged 42 years kidnapped along Damaturu – Maiduguri highway on 19 October 2020.

Others are Maria Adamu aged 27 years kidnapped at Gulak Adamawa state on 6 December 2020, Martha Malu aged 25 years kidnapped at Damboa road on 1 December 2020 and Malakalya Dambade aged 37 years kidnapped at    Mainok along Maiduguri highway on 25 February 2021.

“The ongoing aggressive clearance patrol into the terrorists’ enclaves, continues to degrade the will and fighting spirit of the insurgents.

“The offensive operation characterized by raids, deliberate attacks, ambushes and air operations is exacting serious pressures on the insurgents, forcing them to continue retreating and enabling hostages to escape. This momentum would be sustained.”