By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Tactical Team, have neutralised 21 terrorists in Adamawa.

The terrorists were neutralised during a joint offensive on a Boko Haram/ISWAP camp in the Kopre Mountain general area of Hong Local Government Area.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Goni said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Aug. 27 following credible intelligence on the location of the terrorists’ enclave.

He said the joint force comprised personnel of the ONSA Tactical Team and newly inducted troops of 226 Battalion deployed to Sector 4, Adamawa.

According to him, the troops conducted a stealth insertion into the difficult and rugged terrain before launching a precision assault on the terrorist camp.

He said the operation was part of sustained efforts to locate and rescue persons abducted by terrorists, including victims abducted from Mussa community in May and Lassa schoolchildren kidnapped in June.

Goni said troops engaged the terrorists in two separate encounters during the operation, neutralising 21 while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

He said troops subsequently dominated the area, dismantled the terrorist camp and destroyed associated logistics infrastructure.

“Several motorcycles, bicycles and jerrycans containing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), believed to have supported terrorist logistics and mobility, were destroyed in situ,” he said.

The military spokesman said troops also recovered several AK-47 rifles, magazines and a substantial quantity of 7.62mm special ammunition during exploitation of the camp.

He said the operation further degraded the terrorists’ operational capability and denied them freedom of action in the area.

Goni said the successful operation demonstrated the troops’ tactical proficiency, intelligence exploitation capability and ability to project combat power into difficult terrain.

He said the Military High Command commended the ONSA Tactical Team and OPHK troops for their gallantry, professionalism, resilience and seamless coordination.

Goni said the military remained committed to sustained intelligence-driven operations to locate and rescue abducted persons and dismantle terrorist strongholds across the North East.

He assured that troops would continue to degrade terrorist logistics and fighting capabilities while denying them safe havens and freedom of movement.

He said ongoing operations would be sustained until all abducted persons were located and rescued, while efforts continued to restore lasting peace and security across the region. (NAN)