By Yakubu Uba
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have discovered a mass grave containing corpses of about 20 terrorists neutralised by troops during operations in Timbuktu Triangle in Borno.
This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer of the OPHK.
According to Uba, the discovery showed the growing level of casualties the terrorists are suffering from military operations.
“In a further indication of the heavy losses suffered by the terrorists, troops discovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 terrorist bodies killed during encounters with troops in the Timbuktu Triangle and buried by their cohorts.
“This discovery exposes the scale of terrorist casualties and further discredits terrorist propaganda narratives,” Uba said.
The statement, which highlighted some successes recorded in ongoing operations in the Theatre, said troops had cleared and dominated key terrorist locations across the triangle, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas.
According to the statement, during the operations, troops made intermittent contact with fleeing terrorist elements and engaged them with high volumes of fire, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists.
“On Tuesday while consolidating at a harbour area approximately 6 km North of Chilaria, troops encountered II Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED). Through vigilance and swift action, one VBIED was successfully neutralised.
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“The second VBIED, however, breached the defensive position affecting some logistics platforms. In the course of this attack, some gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price, while others sustained injuries.
“The wounded were promptly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.
“Throughout the evacuation, Nigerian Airforce platforms from the Air Component in synergy with other Nigerian Army air platforms provided continuous overwatch to ensure the safe extraction of casualties and the security of ground forces neutralising more terrorists in the process,” Uba added.
Similarly, a statement from the Spokesman of Joint Task Force North West Operation FASAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, said troops of Sector 2 in that axis have neutralised two terrorists in Kebbi and rescued 62 hostages in Munhaye forest in Zamfara.
Osoba said the operations were conducted in collaboration with allied security forces and local vigilantes, demonstrating a unified front against banditry and terrorism.
“In Zamfara , troops in a separate operation, stormed Munhaye Forest, a known hideout of the notorious bandit leader Kachalla Alti following an intelligence report that the notorious bandit leader had held some captives hostage.
“The mission led to the successful rescue of 62 kidnapped victims who are now in safe custody. Efforts are ongoing to reunite the freed hostages with their families
“These operations underscore the relentless efforts of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and its partners to dismantle terrorist networks, restore security, and protect lives in the region,” Osoba said. (NAN)
