Troops neutralise 40 terrorists, foil attacks, recover weapons nationwide

The Nigerian Army said troops neutralised 40 terrorists, foiled attacks and recovered weapons in operations across the country in the last 24 hours.

The operational report made available to newsmen on Sunday, said the successes were recorded between Aug. 21 and Aug. 22.

In the North-East, the report said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI received five JAS fighters who surrendered in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

It said the surrendered fighters handed over 358 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition to the troops.

The report said troops also foiled an attempted terrorist attack on commuters along the Gajiram-Mairari road in Nganzai Local Government Area.

It added that the terrorists opened fire on a truck and damaged one of its tyres before troops responded with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon the attack.

According to the report, troops subsequently assisted the truck driver and successfully extricated the vehicle from the scene.

“In separate intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, the military’s Guardian aircraft neutralised 38 suspected terrorists in precision strikes in Borno.

“One strike neutralised 16 terrorists clustered around a makeshift hut, while a follow-up strike neutralised 10 others who fled the area.

“In another operation, Guardian tracked 12 suspected terrorists to a hut and neutralised all of them, according to battle-damage assessment,” the report said.

In the South-East, the report said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised one IPOB/ESN terrorist during a dawn operation in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra.

It said the troops recovered two pump-action guns, two motorcycles and materials suspected to be used for making improvised explosive devices.

“In another operation in Bassa Local Government Area, troops arrested a civilian and recovered a locally fabricated Dane gun following a reported shooting incident.

“The recovered items and suspects remained in military custody for further action,” it added.