BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigerian Army said its troops of 8 Division, on Operation LAFIYA DOLE, supported by soldiers of the Armed Forces Strike Group have inflicted heavy casualty on Boko Haram terrorists.
A statement by the Deputy Director, Public Relations of the 8 Division, Colonel Timothy Antigha said the success recorded was in continuation of Operation DEEP PUNCH 2, designed to smoke out Boko Haram terrorists inhabiting remote islands in Lake Chad basin lying within Nigerian territory,
Antigha further said; “The Nigerian Air Force supported troops throughout the operation with Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets and also provided timely air interdiction, as well as close air support”.
“The operation which commenced about two weeks ago was proceeded by coordinated air and artillery bombardment of islands and localities occupied by terrorists, and from where they sneak into Magumeri, Kauram and other locations to loot property and attack security personnel and villagers.”
The Army spokesman said that so far, 20 terrorists were killed while 17 were captured just as over 100 elderly men, women and children were rescued.
He also said; “Preliminary investigation revealed that a large number of the rescued persons were held against their will and forced to work in farms under life threatening conditions and penurious wages.
“More investigation and interviews will be conducted before the rescued persons are handed over for further action.
“The operation which is on-going has yielded handsomely as terrorists abandon vehicles, arms and ammunition, as well as assorted equipment when troops swooped on them.
“The troops also recovered 1Mercedes Benz Truck, three Toyota Land Cruiser Gun Trucks, 5 AK-47 Riffles, 3 Fabrique Nationals (FN) Riffles, 2 G3 Riffles and 1 Pump Action Riffle.
“Other items include 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube, 2 Bombs, 2 Very High Frequency (VHF) Radios and 1 Night Vision Goggle.
“The troops also recovered 55 Rounds of 5.56 X 45mm ammunition, 5 Bangalore Torpedo, Two 120mm Mortar Bombs, 1000 Rounds of 7.62mm Ball Metal Link Ammunition, 55 Rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition and 108 Rounds of 12.7mm Ammunition with links, as well as 2 memory cards, 2 Hydraulic Jacks and a 1.5 Amph Battery.”
Colonel Anigha said that it is heartwarming to note the military did not lost any life among its troops so far, adding that six soldiers however sustained various injuries and have since been evacuated for prompt medical attention.
