The Nigerian military said Operation Hadin Kai troops inflicted heavy losses on terrorists in the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) province on Wednesday. The military also claims that more than 50 of the terrorists died during the meeting in Damboa, Borno. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement, said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the air component of Operation Hadin Kai.

Yerima said terrorists launched a futile, multi-wave attack on the city with armored personnel carriers and 12 artillery trucks, all equipped with anti-aircraft guns, as well as locally made armored vehicles loaded with explosives and of motorcycles. He said the troops successfully defeated the attack, destroyed locally made armored vehicles and neutralized more than 50 ISWAP terrorists.

He said the surviving terrorists were forced to run in disarray under heavy fire from resistant troops and Nigerian Air Force attack platforms. “The so-called suicide bombers had to abandon their vehicles filled with explosives because they could not withstand the overwhelming firepower of the highly motivated troops. Several weapons and ammunition were recovered from exhausted terrorists.

“The Chief of Staff of the Army (COAS), Major-General. Faruk Yahaya, congratulated the troops including the Air Component for this great achievement. SFOC has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian military under his leadership to end terrorism and other violent crimes in the northeast and the rest of the country. He further urged the troops to support the ongoing offensive within the framework of Operation Tura Takaibango until the noble objective is achieved,” he said. (NOPE)

(NAN)