Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating under Sector 3 in Monguno, Nigeria have eliminated 15 more terrorists in its ongoing clearance operation in Kukawa, Borno State.
This is coming just as the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (AC OPHK) has repelled terrorists’ attacks on troops’ locations, killed scores of fighters and destroyed a gun truck in Borno State.
A statement by the chief military information officer Lt-Col Olaniyi Osoba said the troops in a joint effort with hybrid force and air component support, intercepted and neutralized some fleeing wounded ISWAP terrorists and captured an additional cache of weapons.
He said during the meticulously coordinated air and ground clearance operations, the air component successfully targeted and interdicted several armed and wounded terrorists on motorbikes regrouping in Guzamala.
He added that in a follow-up ground operation, troops killed 15 terrorists and captured one alive as they attempted to flee after sustaining more injuries.
According to the statement, troops also destroyed three additional Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), bringing the total number of VBIEDs destroyed to seven.
Troops during the operation captured seven AK-47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb and tube, two anti-aircraft guns, and 152 Shilka rounds of ammunition .
Meanwhile, a statement by the NAF spokesman, Air Cdre Olusola Akinboyewa, said the fighter jets in the first wave of attack destroyed a gun truck and neutralized several fighters, while the second was to provide close air support to repel an attack on own ground troops.
He said the first operation began with credible intelligence on the location of a terrorists’ gun truck, approximately 5 kilometers west of Kukawa.
“NAF fighter jets swiftly responded, acquiring and attacking the target with precision, destroying the gun truck and crippling the terrorists’ capacity,” he said.
According to the statement, the AC OPHK also responded to a distress call from ground troops in Kukawa, who were under intense attack by terrorists on motorcycles.
He said, “The NAF air assets rapidly responded, engaging the terrorists at various intervals.”
Air Cdre Akinboyewa said the strike neutralized many terrorists, and allowed the ground troops to recover over 20 abandoned motorcycles.
“Following the strike, ground troops are capitalizing on the momentum, pursuing wounded and fleeing terrorists.”
He reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to the collective effort to restore peace and security in the country, and will continue to provide airpower in support of the ground forces and other security agencies.
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