By Kazeem Waris
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have killed six suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists, arrested 11 suspected collaborators and received the surrender of a JAS member in separate operations in Borno State.
The operations came barely 24 hours after the troops reportedly killed more than 20 terrorists in Pulka community, Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.
The latest operations also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, mobile phones and other items suspected to be linked to terrorist activities.
In a statement on Sunday, the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison, working with Hybrid Force personnel, ambushed ISWAP/JAS terrorists along the Targejeri axis of Kaga Local Government Area at about 12:37 a.m. on October 25.
He said six terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two Android phones, three button phones and charms.
In a related operation, troops arrested six additional suspected terrorist collaborators during a follow-up raid in Benisheikh town, Kaga LGA, at about 6:20 a.m. on October 24.
According to Goni, the arrests brought the number of suspects apprehended in connection with the investigation to 11, including five earlier arrested.
Items recovered during the raid included an AK-47 rifle, three empty magazines, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three suspected terrorist uniforms, a turban, a head mask, two Android phones, three button phones and charms.
He said the suspects were undergoing investigation to establish the extent of their alleged involvement in terrorist activities and identify possible links to other members of the network.
In another development, a JAS member surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion (Main), supported by Hybrid Force personnel, deployed at the Hambagda Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Gwoza LGA.
Goni said the individual surrendered at about 9:20 p.m. on October 24 after reportedly escaping from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains area of Gwoza.
The individual surrendered with an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
He added that the individual was in custody and undergoing further investigation and processing in line with established procedures.
Goni said the latest operations demonstrated the sustained offensive posture and coordination of OPHK troops and Hybrid Force personnel in degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting support networks and encouraging defections.
He said the Theatre Command would sustain intelligence-led operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and create conditions for the safe return of displaced communities and the restoration of socio-economic activities.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support efforts to restore peace and stability in the North-East.
