Fresh successful attacks against insurgents have been recorded by the military in Borno and Yobe as disclosed on Tuesday by authorities.
The military revealed that soldiers killed several terrorists, destroyed gun trucks and recovered arms as well as ammunition at Gajigana in Nganzai, Borno and near Dapchi in Yobe.
This was disclosed by the coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche via a statement made available to reporters in Abuja.
He said: “Several” Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) fighters, according to him, were killed in an airstrike by the Air Task Force of the Operation Lafiya Dole on the outskirts of Dapchi town.”
Enenche said the Dapchi operation followed credible intelligence that terrorists riding in five vehicles, launched attack on the town.
Two of the gun trucks used by the terrorists were destroyed during exchange of gun fire with the troops.
The statement reads: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, on May 18, 2020, neutralized unconfirmed number of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and destroyed two of their gun trucks on the outskirts of Da[chi
“The air operation was conducted following reports that BHT/ISWAP, in about five vehicles, had launched an attack on the town.
“A helicopter gunship was scrambled to engage the terrorists and it scored direct hits on their vehicles, destroying two of them and killing the occupants.
He also disclosed that fleeing Boko Haram fighters abandoned their gun trucks during an air bombardment of their hideouts in Gajigana
Enenche added that many insurgents were killed in the Gajigana operation conducted by troops of 212 Battalion Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole.
A cache of arms was also recovered by troops.
Enenche said: “Troops of 212 Battalion Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE on May 17, 2020 successfully repelled BHT/ISWAP attack and killed several terrorists, recovered arms and ammunition at Gajigana in Nganzai LGA of Borno State.
“The unit had earlier received credible intelligence report on BHT convergence and advancement to attack troops’ location at Gajigana from Goni Usmanti village in Nganzai LGA.
“In response to the terrorists attack on ground troops, the Air Task Force, scrambled its attack aircraft and helicopter gunships to provide close air support and engaged the BHT in exchange of fire with troops”.
“Further exploitation by 7 Division Garrison discovered one destroyed gun truck and two abandoned gun trucks at Mitturu village. Items recovered include; two AK-47 riffles, three magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62 millimeter special ammunition, two 36 hand grenades and one LG3 bombs.”
Enenche assured that the Armed Forces remained “resolute and will continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of our great nation.”
“We shall not relent until peace and normalcy are restored not only in the Northeast but also in every other troubled region of our beloved country,” he added.