By ZAKAA Lazarus
Troops of Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have killed 32 terrorists in coordinated ground and air operations in Adamawa State between Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement from Maiduguri on Thursday.
Goni said troops ambushed a terrorist enclave in Boima, Gombi LGA, killing 16 fighters. Troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one dane gun, six magazines and a belt of cartridges.
In a follow-up precision strike, the Air Component at about 4:40 a.m. on Oct. 1 detected 16 terrorists with 15 motorcycles under tree canopy in Sector 4. An air interdiction at 5:30 a.m. scored a direct hit, destroying the target, while survivors fled.
He said troops also repelled coordinated attacks on 226 Battalion in Garkida and 232 Battalion in Garaha with superior firepower, forcing insurgents to withdraw.
“Regrettably, three brave soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice during the fierce battle, while wounded personnel were swiftly evacuated and are in stable condition,” Goni said.
He said exploitation and mop-up operations are ongoing.
Goni said the successes come amid rejigging of Theatre Command to strengthen joint integration and synergy, which is already yielding dividends through enhanced land-air coordination.
The Theatre Command reaffirmed commitment to sustaining aggressive posture and leveraging intelligence and technology to deny terrorists freedom of action as the nation marks Independence anniversary.
