By ZAKAA LAZARUS, ABUJA
In a relentless offensive against insurgency, troops of the Nigerian Army have dealt a devastating blow to terrorist elements, neutralizing 10 Boko Haram fighters and recovering a cache of automatic fire arms during a daring raid on their stronghold.
The operation also led to the arrest of a key terrorist collaborator notorious for extorting ransom payments on behalf of terrorists and bandits.
On 17 February 2025, troops operating in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State executed a high-impact raid deep inside Iza forest, a known terrorists’ enclave. Overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the troops, 10 Boko Haram fighters met their end, while others fled in disarray.
A thorough mop-up operation in the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and two magazines loaded with ammunition.
Meanwhile, in another decisive strike, troops deployed in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State leveraged credible intelligence to stage a lethal ambush at a known bandits’ crossing in Tunfa village.
The ambush resulted in the neutralization of one terrorist and the capture of a high-value suspect who facilitates ransom payments for the notorious Sani Black terrorists faction.
Acting on the suspect’s confession, troops stormed the bandits’ hideout in Tunga village, a criminal hub for selling rustled cattle. Multiple suspects were rounded up, and all bandit infrastructure in the area was utterly destroyed.
Further intensifying counterterrorism efforts, troops acting on precise human intelligence apprehended a suspected terrorist at Illela Market in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Commending the troops for their doggedness and operational efficiency, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s resolute commitment to uprooting terrorism, banditry and other criminalities from troubled parts of the country.
He urged patriotic citizens to continue to support the troops by providing credible information in the collective fight to rid Nigeria of all terrorist elements.
