The Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, has killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists, while several others have surrendered in the ongoing clearance operations within the Lake Chad basin.
Chief of Military Public Information, Lt-Col Abubakar Abdullahi in a statement issued Wednesday said the operation was aimed at strengthening free movement and rejuvenating economic activities across the region.
He said the initiative has led to an encouraging trend, with multiple terrorists surrendering and the interception of a major arms haul meant for insurgents’ use.
Abdullahi said: “From 10 to 20 February, all 4 Sectors of MNJTF recorded various successes which portrayed the surge in troop effectiveness through the surrender of terrorist elements, offensive operations and curbing of arms smuggling.
“Consequently, troops of Sector 1 MNJTF in Mora, Cameroon, triumphed in a notable engagement at the locality of Soueram. This offensive resulted in the neutralisaation of two Boko Haram terrorists and the seizure of 92 linked ammunition belts, enhancing the safety of the area and disrupting the terror group’s supply lines.
“Complementing this success, on the 10th and 19th of February 2024, 2 Boko Haram members each surrendered to troops in Sectors 2 and 3, stationed in Litri, Chad, and Doron Baga, Nigeria respectively.”
Abdullahi added that the items recovered from the four repentant insurgents included a collection of arms and ammunition, significantly consisting of an AKM rifle, an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and 29 rounds of 7.62-millimetre Special Ammunition.
He noted that the MNJTF’s persistence in offensive campaigns brought additional victories, with notable operations conducted by the troops of Sector 2 Bagasola, Chad.
He stressed that during a high-impact offensive at the locality of Tchokou, a Lake Chad Island, the troops inflicted casualties on Boko Haram elements and recovered three “teke-teke” canoes among other terrorists’ logistics items.
Abdullahi further said in separate operations on 19 February 2024, troops recovered 5x 155 millimetre High Explosive Shells used for making Improvised Explosive Devices, debilitating the operational capabilities of the terrorist factions in the region.
He added: “In a concurrent strategic move, the Chadian Air Force, guided by reliable intelligence, conducted a successful air strike on 20th February 2024.
“The mission targeted Boko Haram strongholds along the southern rim of Lake Chad, near the Chad-Cameroon-Nigeria border, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of terrorist equipment on waterways.
“Several terrorists were seen jumping into the Lake from their boats and are believed to have died.
“In Sector 4 Diffa, Niger Republic, capitalising on precise intelligence, the troops effectively disrupted an arms smuggling attempt north of Nguigmi near the Niger-Chad borderline on 10th February 2024.
“Their timely intervention led to the confiscation of a substantial arms cache comprising 6 x AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, and 50 x rounds of 7.62-millimeter ammunition, dealing a substantial blow to the clandestine network supporting the insurgency.”
Abdullahi said sadly, despite these achievements, two soldiers, one each from Nigeria and Chad paid the supreme price while three others sustained various degrees of injuries.