Nigerian Army troops have neutralised eight Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists at Ukuba, said to be a notorious terrorist enclave in Sambisa Forest.
Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this on Monday, March 11.
Nwachukwu said that the operation, which took place in conjunction with hybrid force elements on Sunday, March 10, witnessed a fierce gun battle that inflicted severe losses on the terrorists’ group, compelling them to retreat and abandon their camp in disarray.
The Army spokesman said a thorough search of the captured camp by the gallant troops led to the recovery of five locally-fabricated double barrel guns, two motorbikes and assorted foodstuff, belonging to the terrorists.
“In a separate clearance operation on the same day in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, troops cleared Dan Birgima, Ungwan Noma, Katoge, and Pauwa villages.
“During the operation, troops gunned down two insurgents in combat and recovered three AK-47 Rifles, eight Magazines, 57 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, three Baofeng Radio sets, 12 Baofeng Radio Chargers and one Bandolier.
“The troops also rescued a civilian, who had been in captivity of the insurgents for days.
“Two Motorbikes and makeshift structures in the insurgents’ camp were also destroyed by the troops,” the statement read in part.
Nwachukwu added that troops cleared Dandalla, Madada, Dogon Karfe, Hayi, Gobirawan and Kango Kuyambana villages in Gusau and Maru Local Government Areas of Zamfara state.
According to him, troops neutralised two of the terrorists and recovered one AK- 47 rifle, two fabricated guns, two rounds of Anti- Aircraft ammunition, one Motorbike and two Solar panels.
“In South Eastern Nigeria, troops on Sunday 10 March 2024 successfully raided and destroyed IPOB/ ESN Fighters’ Fire arms production factory located between Ekoli Edda and Amagwu Ohafia communities in Abia and Ebonyi States respectively.
“The dissidents’ camp, which was used for fabricating firearms and production of ammunition was fortified with fire trenches/sandbag parapets and powered with a 15 KVA Generator.
“The vigilant troops recovered two fabricated AK-47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb, two IPOB/ESN flags, as well as Welding and Filing machines from the factory,” the statement further read.
Nwachukwu said these successful operations demonstrate the commitment of the Nigerian Army in combating the nation’s security challenges to enhance safety and security.
“We enjoin members of the public to continue to support the Nigerian Army, sister services and other security agencies in the ongoing fight against the nation’s adversaries,” he said.