ISWAP top commander, 30 others killed in battle with troops
Posted by Okodili Ndidi, Abuja | 24 December 2019 | 1,298 times
A top Commander of the Islamic State of West African Province
(ISWAP) Commander believed to be responsible for the attacks along the fringes
of Lake Chad, Abu Muqhtar, has been killed by troops of the Operation Lafiya
Dole alongside 30 other insurgents along the outskirts of Damaturu, Yobe State.
Two soldiers were however wounded while repelling the insurgents
from infiltrating Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.
The Army Operation Media Coordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, in a
statement made available to journalist, stated that the terrorists suffered
major defeat.
According to the statement, “a commendable display of sheer
gallantry, the troops of Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with the
Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE delivered a humiliating defeat to a group
of Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on 22nd December
2019 during a massive failed attempt by the criminal insurgents to infiltrate
Damaturu, the Yobe State Capital. During the encounter, the resilient troops
promptly mobilized and blocked the criminal insurgents’ advance along Gashua
Road in the outskirts of Damaturu.
“The troops thereafter engaged the criminals in a fierce firefight
with the support of Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE which unleashed
devastating firepower from the air to help take out some of the criminals’ Gun
Trucks. This superior firepower forced the criminal insurgents to withdraw in
disarray albeit with very heavy casualty in both men and equipment. It is
confirmed that a top ISWAP Commander, Abu Muqhtar, believed to have coordinated
several attacks along the fringes of Lake Chad was neutralised along with over
30 other insurgents in that attack.
“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers were wounded in action during
the encounter. The wounded personnel are currently receiving treatment and
responding positively at a military medical facility. In the aftermath of the
encounter, troops captured 1 Gun Truck and destroyed 2 others”.
It added further that, “Troops equally captured 561 Rounds of
12.7mm ammunition, 1420 Rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 1850 Rounds of
7.62mmX51 ammunition and 2 Rocket Propelled Gun bombs. Other items captured by
the gallant troops include, one Hand Held Communication Radio, 27 sachets of
Meal Ready to Eat wraps and 350 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol)”.
He continued that, “in a related development, some criminal Boko
Haram insurgents, oblivious of the humiliating defeat suffered by their cohorts
barely 24 hours ago, were reportedly sighted heading towards Biu town from
Mandara Girau axis of Biu LGA of Borno State late in the afternoon of 23rd
December 2019, mounted on 17 Gun Trucks and motorcycles.
“In a swift and commendably bold response, the troops of 231
Battalion moved and engaged the advancing criminals while troops of 331
Artillery Regiment brought to bear deafening artillery bombardment on the
visibly confused criminal insurgents forcing them to withdraw in disarray amid
heavy casualty.
“In yet another development, in the early hours of Monday 23rd
December 2019, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion deployed at Pulka in Gwoza
LGA of Borno State also thwarted another Boko Haram attack on their location
with devastating consequence on the marauding criminals. The 2 front attacks by
the criminals were effectively contained and decisively repulsed by the gallant
troops. In the aftermath of the encounter, 4 Boko Haram criminals including one
suicide bomber were neutralized while others are believed to have escaped with
varying degrees of gunshot wounds”. (The Nation)
Source: News Express
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