MNJTF kills 22 Boko Haram/ISWAP in Joint Offensives in Islands of Lake Chad
By: Zagazola Makama
The troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have eliminated 22 Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in a coordinated joint aimed at dislodging the insurgent groups in the Islands of Lake Chad region, Our Nigeria News learned.
A top Military Intelligence Officer who is a Counter Insurgency Expert in the Lake had disclosed that during the continuation of the ground and aerial offensives involving troops of Nigeria, Sector 3 MNJTF, Sector 4 MNJTF (Niger Republic), and Cameroon, in its efforts to push closer to Tumbes, the troops made several encounters with the terrorists.
The sources said that the Task Forces Malam Fatori, Damasak, and Wulgo have continued to push closer to the Lake Chad Tumbuns and as expected the Boko Haram/ISWAP have been resisting stiffly.
He said that the first encounter began “On 9 Apr 22, when the Task Force Malam Fatori Teams A (Nigeria) and B (Niger) married up in Abadam local government area and proceeded to the strongholds of the insurgents killing forcing them to fled leaving traces in the location. One was killed in the location.
On 10 Apr 22, the insurgents reinforced and deployed their militants in two gun trucks but The Task Force with support from advancing MNJTF troops Malam Fatori, with support from the Air Task Force’s Mi35 and Mi171 helicopter Gunship, neutralized many of them.
He said that on 11 April at about 1200hrs in the same location, the Task Force came under another heavy attack from multiple gun trucks including one suicide bomber in an IED laden vehicle but the attack was robustly repelled by the gallant troops.
“The suicide vehicle and two other gun trucks were destroyed with several Boko Haram/ISWAP neutralized while 4 soldiers sustained injuries in the encounter.
On 11 April 22, the Task Force resumed its advancement and made contact with the terrorists short of Arinna Woje, a gun battle ensued which resulted in the elimination of 3 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, weapons, vehicle/IED workshop, Several cannibalized vehicles were destroyed while one 105 Artillary gun was recovered.
On the same day, the troops also moved to conduct clearance and further exploitations at Zenari and Bula Kessa axis and thoroughly dominated the areas. Simultaneously, the Amphibious Task Force, Nigerian Component Darak continued waterways clearance from Fish Dam, while its Cameroonian Counterpart was conducting the same operations around the axis of Blangoua.
The Task Force in Nguigmi Niger continued minor clearance of localities around Shelia. The force recovered and destroyed 15 Bags of Fish belonging to fleeing Boko Haram/ISWAP.
Frontline sources told revealed that the Als Deputy Force Commander Gen Abdu Assumane, Niger Republic, and other Senior Officers of the MNJTF visited the troops in Arege and passed the personal commendation of the Force Commander to them.
Assumane urged them to continue to be resilient and bold and destroy the enemy. Resupplies of various types including combat supplies were taken to the troopsa
MNJTF kills 22 Boko Haram/ISWAP in Joint Offensives in Islands of Lake Chad
