Troops repel ISWAP attack on Borno military base, recover weapons

 An unspecified number of terrorists have been reportedly killed when troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled an attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a military base in Gajiram, Nganzai local government area of Borno state.

The Acting Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, who disclosed this in a statement, Monday, said a large number of terrorists launched an assault on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gajiram at about 12:20 a.m. Monday in an attempt to overrun the troops’ position.

According to him, the troops responded with “determined and effective fire”, with the terrorists forcefully withdrawing after suffering heavy casualties.

He said: “During the engagement, troops neutralised several of the terrorists and recovered weapons, ammunition and communication gadgets.”

Goni said surveillance footage seen after the engagement confirmed that several casualties were evacuated by the retreating terrorists, adding that the recovered weapons and other items, as well as the surveillance footage, were undergoing further operational assessment.

He, however, said some soldiers were injured following the breaching of part of the base’s defences during the attack.

According to him, the breach also resulted in damage to some combat-enabling equipment and vehicles from rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire.

“Few troops sustained injuries during the engagement as a part of the defences was temporarily breached, leading to damage to some combat enablers and vehicles from Rocket Propelled Grenade fires,” he said.

Goni said the injured personnel were promptly evacuated by air and stable while receiving medical attention.

He said troops had remained firmly deployed in and around the base and adjoining areas following the attack to dominate the area, monitor developments and prevent any further attempt by the terrorists to re-engage.

…Police foil highway kidnap in Kogi

In a related development, swift security response and superior firepower by operatives of the Kogi State Police Command have led to the dramatic rescue of 15 kidnapped passengers along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway of Kogi state.This followed a deadly gun duel that left several abductors neutralised.

The victims were rescued Sunday after gunmen intercepted a Peace Mass Transit bus at about 4:00 p.m. between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, a notorious flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili axis in Ofu local government area of the state.

In a statement issued Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer Kogi State Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat in Lokoja, said the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to track down the kidnappers and secure the victims’ release.

The rescue operation, according to her, was  carried out in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army (12 Brigade), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes and other auxiliary forces, culminated in a fierce exchange of gunfire with the abductors.

The statement said: “During the encounter, several of the kidnappers were gunned down, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. A member of the vigilante group was killed in the line of duty, and a police officer sustained gunshot injuries.

“Despite the resistance, security operatives overwhelmed the criminals and successfully rescued all 15 victims from captivity.

“Among those freed were two personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), alongside 12 adults and three children”

The statement also confirmed that the victims were unharmed and have been safely evacuated from the forest to secure locations.

“The rescued victims include: CRC I. Ibe and SRC Ik. Ukandu (FRSC personnel), as well as Josephbah, Joshua Daniel, Joy Ogbu, Chigocife Ogbu, Charity Aneebo.

“Others are Ngozi Stephin, Somaliya Zegu, Chidera Emanuel, Pamela Oraeto, Abakwam Loveth, Chimereze Nekuma, Chibok Nzekwu and Victor Edozi Anyichie,” she said.

The statement added that “efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, noting that multiple coordinated security operations are currently underway across the state to dismantle criminal networks.”

The Command also called on residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible information.

ASP Afusat reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that sustained operations will continue until criminal elements are flushed out of the state.