Military Losses 3, Eliminates Over 70 BT/ ISWP Territories, Recovers Arms, Ammunitions in North East

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters says, it's Troops of Operation Fire Ball, a subsidiary of Operation Lafia Dole has neutralized over 75 Boko Haràm, ISWAP terrorists, recovered large catches of arms and ammunition, while three of its men paid the supreme price in North East.

This was contained in a statement singed on Tuesday by the Ag Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, in Abuja said, it became necessary of the military to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram/ Islamic State  West Africa Province  terrorists from their identified enclaves in the region.

According to him, a total of 75 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were neutralized within this period while equipment such as; 4 x  Gun Trucks, 1 x Bedford Truck, 3 x Anti Aircraft guns,were destroyed. 

Onywuko said that, captured weapons include: 6 x Gun Trucks, 4 x Anti Aircraft guns, 1x PKT gun, 4 x General Purpose Machine Guns,1 x Automatic Grenade Launcher, 1 x Dushka Gun, 1 x Light Machine Gun, 48 x AK 47 Rifles, 1x Locally made Pistol and 10 x AK 47 magazines.  Furthermore, large cache of ammunition were captured also.

"This include: 1 x 36 Hand Grenade, 567 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 448 rounds of 12.7mm  ammunition, 50 x Rocket Propelled Grenade bombs, 17 locally manufactured rounds, 3 shells for making Improvised Explosive Device, 1 x Smoke Grenade and 2 x belts of PTroopsnds. Other assorted non lethal items were also captured from the criminals.

"Regrettably, one officer and 2 gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while 4 other soldiers were wounded in action over the period

"However,  the wounded soldiers have since been evacuated to a military medical facility and are currently responding to treatment". He said. 

The Ag DMOs hereby commended the troops for their resilience, doggednes and commitment exhibited since the beginning of the Operation. 

Encouraged them not to rest on their oars but build on the successes recorded so far. Saying the populace of the North East region are hereby assured of the Nigerian military high command determination to finally rout the remnants of BHT/ISWAP criminals from their enclaves in this zone.