In early June 2023, at least eighty-two (82) members of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) and their families were reportedly drowned in a river in Borno State.
According to reports, the terrorists drowned while fleeing the North East axis of Damasak in the northeastern part of Nigeria.
Terrorists operating from the Lake Chad region are said to have met their Waterloo while attempting to flee massive troop incursions between June 2 and 3, 2023.
They were reportedly attempting to cross into Niger Republic. Separate incidents were reported in the communities of Bulama Modori, Kaneram, Dogomolu, and Jokka. The river flows through Niger from Komadougou, Yobe, to Lake Chad.
Troops Sustain Eliminations of Bandits, Rescue Kidnapped Victims in Zamfara
Meanwhile, Nigerian troops in Zamfara State are said to have conducted recent fighting patrols, which resulted in the elimination of bandits, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the recovery of weapons and animals.
While confirming the development, popular security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Makama Zagazola stated that Nigerian troops from the Forward Operation Base in Bakura halted recent attempted attacks on villagers by fleeing bandits.
According to a military source involved in the operation, troops on fighting patrol received credible information about armed bandits attacking Rogoji Village and Sakida-Janbako Village in Zamfara State’s Bakura and Maradun Local Government Areas, respectively.
On arrival at the village, the bandits fled on sighting troops advance, the source said.
The troops are said to have also neutralized at least five bandits during a heavy fire in the bush.
We also recovered sophisticated AK 47 rifles and some special ammunition. Similarly, cattle, goats, and donkeys were recovered during the operation, the military source noted.
Similarly, troops from Forward Operating Base Unashi in Kebbi State stormed bandit enclaves in Sabuwa forest in Zamfara State’s Bukkuyum Local Government Area and rescued five kidnapped victims.
In another operation, troops stationed at FOB Unashi on a fighting patrol along bandit enclaves in Zamfara state’s Naruba forest rescued two kidnapped victims and handed them over to the appropriate authorities.
Similarly, troops stationed in Magami thwarted a bandit attack and kidnapping attempt on the Dogon Santsi axis. The troops also rescued the kidnapped victims, and some of the bandits were defeated.
The kidnapped victims were handed over to Sarki of Unashi village and Sarkin Magami who reunited them with their families, the source added.