By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
In its continued operations in Askira Uba and environs troops of Operation Hadin Kai has again said that it has neutralised over 50 fighters belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following attack lunched by the group on military base in Askira town, Borno state, northeast Nigeria.
A statement from Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director Army Public Relations revealed in a fierce counter offensive the troops also destroyed several combat equipments such as MRAP vehicle and 11 Gun Trucks and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition viz., Five Gun Trucks, two Anti Aircraft Guns, five AK 47 rifles, one HK Machine Gun and one HK Machine Gun links.in Askira Uba Local Government Area of the State.
In the counter offensive, troops eliminated top commanders of ISWAP as well as foot soldiers.
The gallant troops also unleashed massive destruction on the terrorists’ Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle and several Gun Trucks.
It would be recalled, that 115 Task Force Battalion had an encounter with ISWAP terrorists in Askira Uba on 13 November 2021, during which the troops aggressively defended their location and followed up with a ferocious counter attack.
Unfortunately, the Commander 28 Task Force Brigade alongside three of his soldiers paid the supreme price, as they reinforced troops to defend the location.
While the battle raged, the gallant troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, supported by Air Component of OPHK engaged the terrorists in a hot pursuit.
Troops made contact with the fleeing terrorists at Leho village within Askira Uba LGA and in the encounter that ensued; troops eliminated more than 50 of the terrorists and destroyed their combat equipment.
On the same vein, troops of 115 Task Force Battalion conducted a dawn operation towards Leho village and environs, where they discovered 3 corpses of the fleeing terrorists and also recovered 2,560 rounds of 7.62mm Special and 29 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition abandoned by the terrorists.
Nigerian Army have also recovered one AK 47 rifle and uncovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) during a patrol in Karawa village and Baga Fish Dam area respectively.
The statement further explained that the IED has been safely detonated by a team of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has led a team of top brass of the Nigerian Army to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Commander 28 Task Force Brigade, Brig Gen Dzarma Zirkusu where he commiserated with families of the fallen heroes.
He has also urged the good people of the Northeast to continue to support the ongoing counter insurgency operations, while reaffirming troops’ renewed operational readiness to aggressively confront the criminal elements.” The statement added.