Khadijah Shehu Abdulkareem
Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has successfully neutralised 24 Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents during series of coordinated ambushes and clearance operations.
Troops in an ambush conducted over five days across Borno and parts of Adamawa reportedly crushed the insurgents.
The operations, which took place between 4 and 9 July, were confirmed, Wednesday in Maiduguri by Capt. Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command OPHK.
Kovangiya said the joint operations, carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force component, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters, were part of the ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist strongholds and restore peace in the region.
According to him, the first ambush was executed on 4 July at Platari, where troops engaged insurgents on bicycles moving from Sambisa Forest towards the Timbuktu Triangle, killing three. Another terrorist was ambushed around the Komala general area, with troops recovering motorcycles, spare parts, pesticides, and food supplies.
Kovangiya added that on 5 July, troops intercepted insurgents attempting to access the Madarari Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Konduga, killing one and recovering several rounds of ammunition.
He said further contact was made with terrorists at Leno Kura during a fighting patrol, resulting in the neutralisation of three insurgents in a crossfire.
On 6 July, troops reportedly carried out a night ambush at suspected crossing points between Ngoshe–Gava, Ngoshe–Ashigashiya, and Amuda–Gava, killing one terrorist while others fled.
On 7 July, insurgent logistics suppliers were ambushed near Sabsawa village, leading to the neutralisation of two terrorists and the recovery of bicycles, torches, slippers, batteries, and other items.
Clearance operations at Bula Marwa, a known ISWAP and JAS stronghold, were carried out on 8 July with air support and CJTF collaboration. One insurgent was killed, and life-support structures were destroyed. In a separate operation on the same day, joint troops raided hideouts in Pambula village, Madagali LGA of Adamawa, killing one insurgent and recovering four motorcycles and a dane gun.
Kovangiya said troops continued clearing operations at Bula Marwa, where another terrorist was killed and their camp dismantled.
“On July 9, in joint operations with the Civilian Joint Task Force, troops cleared JAS and ISWAP enclaves at Tangalanga and Bula Marwa. Three insurgents were killed and six AK-47 rifles, 47 magazines, and 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered,” he said.
He further noted that additional ambushes were conducted in Ngailda, Manjim, and Wulle villages in collaboration with hybrid forces, resulting in the killing of six more terrorists.