No fewer than 48 terrorists belonging to the Boko Haram sect have been killed by troops attached to the Multi-National Joint Task Force in Niger Republic.
During the attack at Tumour, four of the insurgents were also captured alive by troops.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who briefed journalists at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, disclosed that troops also repelled Boko Haram attacks in Gwoza, Borno State and Sabon-Gari in Madagali Council Area of Adamawa State.
Highlighting activities of the Operation Lafiya Dole, Enenche noted that, “In this theatre of operation, our troops had some encounters with Boko Haram insurgents/terrorists.
“The troops successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorists’ attack at Yamteke in Gwoza LGA of Borno State, in the process four Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized while three AK-47 rifles, two hand grenades and One Tecno phone were recovered.
“Furthermore, Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province attack was successfully repelled by hunters at Sabon-Gari village of Madagali LGA in Adamawa State. During the encounter, two terrorists were killed and One AK47 rifle was recovered”.
He added that, “similarly, troops of Sector Four of Multi-National Joint Task Force successfully repelled a Boko Haram terrorists attack at Tumour in Republic of Niger. During the attack, 48 terrorists were invalidated while four others were captured by the troops”.
Under the Operation Safe Haven, the coordinator hinted that, “The gallant multi-agency troops of operation Safe Haven encountered some gunmen at Kurgwi along Namu – Chibdai road in Quan Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State on March 19, 2020.
“In the process, two notorious gun runners were killed; one AK-47 rifle was recovered among other items. Similarly, same day, four suspected Sara Suka activists were arrested during a cordon and search operation. Seven cutlasses, three knives and substances suspected to be illicit drugs and charms were recovered from them.
“The general public is hereby commended and requested to continue to provide credible information to the troops so as to sustain this trend among other success achieved by troops of the Nigerian military and other security agencies.
“Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as you were informed, could be involved in exercises that can transmute into real life operation. In this regard, during the week, the Nigerian Navy commenced Exercise Treasure Guard 2 at the Western Naval Command area of responsibility to increase confidence of the global shipping community.
“The exercise was approved to transmute to Exercise Obangame Express 2020 (which was supposed to be a multi-national exercise) which was cancelled due to the global health concern. The overall objective of the exercise is to ensure a collective security and protection of our maritime assets.
“Finally, the Chief of Defence Staff wants to seize this opportunity to reassure the general public of the total commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards the protection of lives and property across the country.”