By ABBAS BAMALLI

Troops of the 17 Brigade have overrun a suspected terrorist enclave in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina, neutralising two terrorists and recovering machine guns, motorcycles.

The operation, conducted under Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, followed an intelligence-led dawn raid on the terrorists’ hideout at Ginchawa village on Monday.

According to a statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 17 Brigade, Capt. Abayomi Adisa, the troops acted on credible intelligence and stormed the hideout in the early hours of the day.

He said the terrorists attempted to resist the troops but were overwhelmed by superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their position and flee into nearby bushes.

Adisa said the troops immediately pursued the fleeing terrorists along their escape routes, maintaining pressure on them throughout the operation.

He said two terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds, following the discovery of blood stains within the enclave and along their withdrawal routes.

The army spokesman said troops subsequently searched the area and recovered two PKT machine guns, one dane gun, one AK-47 magazine and 75 rounds of 7.62mm linked NATO ammunition.

He added that three motorcycles, two mobile phones, one Motorola radio set, one pair of camouflage uniforms, two cows and four goats were also recovered.

According to him, no casualty was recorded among the troops during the operation.

Adisa said the successful raid demonstrated the effectiveness of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations being conducted by the 17 Brigade across Katsina State.

He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action while sustaining efforts to protect lives and property across the state. (NAN)

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