Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) repelled an attempted attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a military base in Borno State, killing several terrorists in a fierce gun battle.

One soldier was killed during the encounter, while six suspected ISWAP members and their families surrendered to troops in a separate operation.

The Media Information Officer of OPHK, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the attack occurred on Tuesday at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Logomani in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

He said the terrorists briefly breached a section of the base’s defensive perimeter before troops quickly regrouped and launched a decisive counter-offensive.

According to him, the troops inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers, forcing the surviving terrorists to flee.

“Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price, while two gun trucks and some combat enablers sustained damage during the engagement,” Goni said.

He added that the situation at FOB Logomani had been fully brought under control, with reinforcements deployed to the area while exploitation operations and additional defensive measures were ongoing.

In another operation on the same day, troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion rescued two kidnapped victims from a terrorist hideout during a search-and-rescue mission in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The troops also recovered N1.2 million, suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities, food items and other logistics believed to have supported terrorist operations.

Goni said the rescued victims had been evacuated to a secure location, where they are receiving medical attention and psychosocial support.

In Adamawa State, troops of the 232 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a notorious criminal in Gombi Local Government Area. A follow-up operation led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

“The suspect and recovered items are currently in military custody, while further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network,” he said.

Similarly, troops of the 149 Battalion arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in the Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

Cash, a Volkswagen Golf, construction materials, household items and other supplies believed to have been destined for terrorist elements were recovered from the suspects.

According to Goni, the suspects are undergoing interrogation while investigations continue.

Also, troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), conducted a clearance operation in known terrorist enclaves around Wulgo.

During the operation, the troops exploited the terrorists’ hasty withdrawal and recovered a sack containing assorted illicit drugs abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.

Goni said the recovery highlights the sustained pressure being mounted on terrorist groups, restricting their freedom of movement and disrupting their operational capabilities.

In another development, six suspected ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion, Sector 1, OPHK.

Preliminary investigations indicated that they fled the Guduf Bubayagwa and Chikide terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area.

Items recovered from the surrendered suspects included N1,541,500 in cash, two Tecno mobile phones and other personal belongings.

The military also arrested another suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier at the Molai checkpoint while he was transporting a large quantity of medical supplies without the required clearance. The suspect and the items are in military custody for further investigation.

In Sector 2 of the theatre, troops of the 233 Tank Battalion, working alongside local hunters, intercepted and arrested another suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics supplier from Ngirya village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The suspect was found in possession of five motorcycle tyres believed intended for terrorist elements. He and the recovered items remain in military custody pending investigation.

Goni said the latest operational successes demonstrate the effectiveness of sustained offensive operations, actionable intelligence and close collaboration among security agencies and auxiliary forces in dismantling terrorist logistics networks, disrupting criminal activities and protecting vulnerable communities across the Northeast. (The Nation)

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