By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have repelled a multi-front attack by ISWAP terrorists on a Forward Operating Base at Mandaragirau in Borno.

A statement by the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday.

Uba said the troops responded with a coordinated offensive-defensive action, forcing the terrorists into a disorderly withdrawal.

He added that the Air Component of OPHK provided close air support, as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), which enhanced precision targeting during the engagement.

“Subsequent exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes inflicted further heavy losses on the fleeing insurgents,” he said.

According to him, a total of 38 terrorists were neutralised, with eight bodies recovered within the immediate area of engagement.

He said credible human intelligence from local sources indicated that more than 30 additional terrorist bodies and abandoned weapons were sighted along the Garin Mallum–Garin Gajere axis into the Timbuktu Triangle.

“This was evidenced by blood trails and scattered equipment along the withdrawal routes,” he said.

Uba further disclosed that troops recovered seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs and assorted ammunition from the scene.

He said no fatalities were recorded among the troops, although one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by RPG fire, with injured personnel stabilised.

The spokesman said the operation had boosted the morale of local communities and underscored the sustained dominance of troops in denying terrorists freedom of action.

He added that further exploitation operations were ongoing to recover more equipment and consolidate gains.

Uba said the Military High Command had commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience, urging them to sustain the operational tempo in the North East. (NAN)

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