NIGERIA: Troops Kill Three Terrorists In Sokoto Forest Operation

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma have killed three terrorists during a military operation in Kadam Forest in Sokoto State.

The operation was carried out by troops of the COAS Special Intervention Battalion 7 in collaboration with the 8 Division Strike Team in Kadam Forest, located in Tangaza Local Government Area.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations for 8 Division, Olaniyi Osoba, on Monday, the troops launched the operation following credible intelligence that more than 100 terrorists had gathered in the forest to coordinate attacks and kidnapping operations in nearby communities.

He said: “The operation was initiated following credible intelligence indicating that over 100 terrorists had converged deep within Kadam Forest to coordinate attacks and kidnapping on local communities and transport their kidnapped victims to their strongholds.”

Osoba said troops moved swiftly to intercept the terrorists and established contact with the group at about 12 noon.

He said: “Acting swiftly on this intelligence, troops mobilised to intercept the terrorist advance. Contact was established at approximately 1200 hours.”

According to him, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle after the criminals attempted a rear-flanking manoeuvre.

Osoba said: “The ensuing firefight was fierce and sustained. When the terrorists attempted a rear-flanking manoeuvre, troops responded with superior firepower, effectively neutralising the threat and maintaining tactical dominance throughout the engagement.”

He added that further search operations in the forest confirmed the death of three terrorists while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Osoba stated: “Subsequent exploitation operations into the forest confirmed the neutralisation of three terrorists, with several others believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during their escape.”

The army spokesperson said troops recovered several weapons and equipment during the operation, including a PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles, ammunition, communication radios and motorcycles.

He said: “Troops recovered one PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles, 350 rounds of PKT ammunition, 111 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition, three magazines, two radios, three motorcycles and a mobile phone.”

Osoba said troops had continued aggressive patrols in the area to track down fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping.

He said: “Aggressive patrols and sustained offensive operations continue across the general area to exploit this success, disrupt fleeing terrorist elements an

d prevent their regrouping.”