Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East) of Operation HADIN KAI troops have thwarted a terrorist attack on a Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Mandaragirau, killing 38 terrorists.
The troops also recovered 7 AK-47 rifles, 8 magazines, 4 RPG bombs, and assorted ammunition, while recording no death.
One MRAP was hit by RPG fire, and injured personnel were quickly stabilised.
Speaking on the incident, the media officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the terrorists invaded the area in the early hours of Saturday but were met with brick wall from troops who engaged them decisively.
Uba stated that the troops used coordinated ambushes and an offensive-defensive response to force the attackers to withdraw.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided close air support and ISR feedback to enhance targeted kinetic responses.
He claimed that subsequent exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes resulted in additional heavy losses.
A total of approximately 38 terrorists were neutralised, with 8 bodies recovered within the immediate engagement area and human intelligence from locals confirming the presence of over 30 additional terrorist bodies and weapons strewn along the Garin Mallum-Garin Gajere axis into the Timbuktu Triangle.
He went on to say that blood trails and abandoned equipment provided evidence of this.
According to him “Troops also recovered 7 AK-47 rifles, 8 magazines, 4 RPG bombs, and various ammunition while recording no fatalities.
“One MRAP was hit by RPG fire, but the injured personnel were quickly stabilised. The scale of enemy losses has sparked widespread celebration in local communities, highlighting the OPHK troops’ continued dominance in denying terrorists freedom of action.
“Further exploitation operations are underway along the Garin Mallum-Garin Gajere axis on the outskirts of the Timbuktu Triangle to recover the terrorists’ bodies and consolidate gains, Uba said.
