* Troops rescues 32 captives By Augustine Osayande PhD
Troops of Army Super Camp 11 Gamboru in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State have effectively cleared Kusumu and Warshele Villages which appeared to be the terrorists’ logistics base.
Confirming the report on Wednesday, the Coordinator Defence Media Operations Defence Headquarters Major General John Enenche said the troops also cleared Kumo, Diime and Sabori where they engaged some marauding Boko Haram criminals hibernating in the general area.
Enenche said 13 Boko Haram criminals were neutralized during the encounter. He added that 21 locally made guns, 2 Dane guns, one Sniper Rifle, one 36 Hand Grenade, one Improvised Explosive Device Bomb and 2 Boko Haram flags were recovered in the operation.
Enenche added that 5 cutlasses, one digger, one spear, 5 bicycles, 3 motorcycles, 5 carts, 2 loud hailers and one Lister generator were also recovered.
The Coordinator Defence Media Operations said the troops equally rescued 32 captives comprising 16 women and 16 children.
Enenche also disclosed that troops of Strong Response Area Pulka in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State conducted an ambush against Boko Haram elements along Pulka – Bokko – Kirawa Road. He said the troops made contact with a band of Boko Haram logistics couriers attempting to cross from the Mandara Mountains to Banki axis.
He said the troops neutralized 2 of the criminals while others escaped with gunshot wounds, adding that the troops recovered 4 bicycles and bags of grains from the fleeing insurgents.
He further stated that same troops of Strong Response Area Pulka in conjunction with elements of Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force successfully ambushed and neutralized 3 Boko Haram criminals dressed in foreign military camouflage uniform along Pulka – Firgi – Banki Junction – Sabsawa.
Enenche said the troops also captured 2 AK 47 Rifles loaded with magazines, one Rocket Propelled Gun, one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb, 5 extra magazines, 45 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one Hand Grenade, one Honda motorcycle, one cell phone and First Aid kits.
He also disclosed that troops of 151 Task Force Battalion deployed at Strong Response Area Miyanti in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State conducted a robust clearance operation into suspected Boko Haram criminals’ hideout at Miyanti general area.
Enenche said the operation led to the neutralization of one Boko Haram member with one other captured alive.
The Coordinator Defence Media Operations also stated that troops of 117 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with elements of Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force sprung an ambush against elements of Boko Haram criminals’ logistics couriers at Gwagwamdi in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
He said the successful ambush operation led to the neutralization of one of the Boko Haram criminals while others escaped with gunshot wounds as evident by the blood spills along their withdrawal route.
He said one AK 47 Rifle, 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 27 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 8 bicycles and bags of foodstuff and clothing materials were recovered. Enenche also revealed that a Toyota Starlet vehicle belonging to the insurgents was burnt during the fire fight.
He further disclosed that the combined troops of 242 Battalion, Sector 3 Quick Response Force and elements of Strong Response Area Gajiram while on fighting patrol encountered Boko Haram criminals mounted on 3 Gun Trucks at Jilgata in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State.
Enenche said the gallant troops eliminated 5 of the terrorists and recovered 4 AK 47 Rifles in the process. He said One Malam Hassan Bukar earlier abducted by the Boko Haram criminals was rescued while one Toyota Land Cruiser jeep was also recovered by the gallant troops.
He said the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai commended the troops for their resilience and patriotism in crushing the remnants of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province criminals and urges them to maintain the tempo as we approach the end of insurgency in the Country.
Enenche said the High Command of the Nigerian Military appreciates troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE for their unwavering commitment in the Theatre.
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