Emerging report reaching Page 36 on Sunday, indicates that Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have killed 75 Boko Haram terrorists, and recovered dangerous weapons, in their latest attacks against the insurgents in the North-East.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major-General John Enenche, confirmed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to him, the terrorists were killed in an ongoing offensive in the region, that resulted in casualties on men and equipment, as well as the capture or surrendering of some of their fighters.
Enenche noted that the Boko Haram fighters met their death during 17 separate encounters with the Troops, from June 1 to June 30, 2020.
“It is evident from recent encounters with Boko Haram/ISWAP, that the resilience of the Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE is being sustained across the North-East Theatre of operation, resulting to high BHT/ISWAP casualties on men and equipment, as well as capture or surrendering of some of their fighters.
“In their resolve to end BHT/ISWAP menace in the North-East region, from 1st – 30th June, 2020, the gallant Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE had a total of 17 encounters with the marauding criminals, neutralising 75 of them in the process”, the statement partly read.
Weapons recovered from the insurgents include 1 anti-aircraft gun, 13 AK-47 rifles, 1 sniper rifle, 21 locally made guns, 2 dane guns, and one rocket propelled gun.
Others are 3 hand grenades, 5 rocket propelled gun bombs, 205 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition, 1,018 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and 2 Boko Haram flags.
The Defence Spokesman explained that 1 gun truck, 1 vehicle borne improvised explosive device, one Toyota starlet car, and several makeshift structures belonging to the terrorists, were also destroyed by the gallant troops within the period.
He however, regretted that during the period, one of their Officers was killed, and another injured in the process, with 35 people rescued. Among those rescued are 18 women, 16 children, and 1 adult male.
Speaking further, Enenche said that four insurgents, including two women, were captured and later identified to be the wives of the local Boko Haram Commander at Gajingi, in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
More later…