Troops ‌‍‍‌‍⁠⁠‍‌‍‌⁠⁠‍‌‌kill 48 ISWAP fighters, get well 52 firearms in Borno, Yobe

Nigerian troops have killed 48 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and recovered 52 firearms throughout fierce engagements in Borno and Yobe states.

The operations, carried out by troops of the Joint Task Force, North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, concerned repelling assaults on army positions in Bitta and Natt Buni Yadi between October 29 and 30.

The Acting Media Information Officer of the duty pressure, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a press release launched Friday in Abuja.

According to him, troops repelled an tried terrorist assault on their place in Bitta on the night time of October 29 by means of a coordinated response involving floor forces and air help.

He stated troops additionally launched a counter-offensive in opposition to a big focus of ISWAP fighters who attacked Natt Buni Yadi from October 29 into the early hours of October 30.

Goni additionally disclosed that the five-hour engagement was coordinated by the Theatre Command, with intelligence, surveillance, goal acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities built-in with air and floor belongings.

“The operation resulted in 48 terrorists being killed, whereas troops recovered 42 AK-47 rifles, 5 PKT machine weapons, 4 general-purpose machine weapons and one 60mm mortar.

“Other recovered gadgets included 105 AK-47 magazines, two video cameras and various ammunition.

“The ammunition comprised 30 rounds of 12.7mm armour-piercing incendiary ammunition, 2,738 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 223 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 2,054 rounds of PKT ammunition,” the assertion learn partly.

Goni, nonetheless, stated one soldier was killed through the engagements, whereas two others sustained minor accidents and had been responding to therapy.

He stated troops’ morale remained excessive as operations continued to disclaim terrorists freedom of motion throughout the theatre.

The activity pressure described the engagements as a “significant setback” to the operational capabilities of the insurgents.