Nigerian troops have neutralized 71 terrorists in coordinated ground and air operations across Borno and Yobe states. The operations, which included a five-hour counter-offensive at Buni Yadi, Yobe, resulted in the deaths of 48 ISWAP fighters. Separate air and maritime strikes neutralized 23 terrorists, while troops recovered weapons and ammunition and disrupted terrorist logistics networks.
The Buni Yadi operation followed an attack on troops at the North-East Theatre Training School in Gujba Local Government Area. Troops repelled the assault and neutralized 48 terrorists during the ensuing counter-offensives, recovering 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, and four general-purpose machine guns. Other recovered items include 105 AK-47 magazines, two video cameras, and thousands of rounds of ammunition of different calibers.
One soldier was killed during the engagements, while two others sustained minor injuries. The maritime component, supported by an armed unmanned aerial vehicle, struck terrorist targets across Lake Chad on October 28, neutralizing eight terrorists and injuring 10 others. An air operation near Ngirmishi settlement, north of Kerenoa, reportedly neutralized about 15 terrorists.
In Borno, army troops of 5 Brigade arrested seven suspected terrorist collaborators, informants, and logistics suppliers at Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area, on October 28. Items recovered include mobile phones, food supplies, drinks, blankets, cooking oil, and other household materials, alongside ₦483,550. Troops also ambushed suspected terrorists attempting to cross the Mafa-Ajiri road at Kassasewa, Mafa Local Government Area.
Troops of 112 Task Force Battalion, working with Hybrid Forces, seized five rocket-propelled grenade bombs and 175 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. In another development, troops of 202 Battalion apprehended a suspected terrorist informant and logistics supplier attempting to infiltrate Bama town. A suspected member of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) was also intercepted.
The troops intercepted the suspected JAS member who reportedly escaped from a terrorist enclave in Bama and was on his way to surrender. Troops of 403 Amphibious Brigade, working with the Multinational Joint Task Force and Civilian Joint Task Force, discovered an improvised explosive device along the Baga-Cross road in Kukawa Local Government Area on October 29.
In other parts of the country, troops foiled a kidnapping attempt at the ECWA Staff Quarters in Jos North Local Government Area, arrested a suspected kidnapper in Nasarawa, and raided a suspected criminal and ritualists’ hideout in Ondo. The operations demonstrate the military's continued efforts to combat terrorism and maintain security across Nigeria.
Key points
- 71 terrorists were neutralized in the nationwide offensive.
- Troops recovered various weapons and ammunition, and disrupted terrorist logistics networks.
- The operations were conducted across Borno and Yobe states, with support from air and maritime components.
