Troops from the Nigerian Army have killed three bandits in Timbuktu triangle in the Lake Chad Region while they also recovered ammunition.
Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Friday, said the troops carried out the operation in conjunction with a hybrid force and elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
Nwachukwu said the offensive operation was conducted on Wednesday, 28 February 2024, with the troops successfully overrunning Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ stronghold.
He added that they recovered a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, gun truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun, and a cache of arms and ammunition, after a fierce battle with the insurgents.
“During the operation, insurgents attacked the troops with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), Mortar, Gun trucks and motorbikes,” Nwachukwu said.
“They, however, fell under the overwhelming superior fire power of the troops, forcing them to abandon their stronghold, armaments and equipment in disarray.
“The operation proved to be a major setback to the insurgents, as the gallant troops neutralized three terrorists and recovered one MRAP, one gun truck, one Dushka Machine Gun, one AK 47 Rifle and one locally fabricated gun.”
The Army spokesman added that the troops also captured one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Bomb and 273 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
They also captured one Pump machine, 65 Dushka links, 48 General Purpose Machine Gun links and three motorbikes.
According to Nwachukwu, the gallant troops are presently exploiting their success in pursuit of the routed insurgents.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, troops from the Nigerian Army conducted a fighting patrol to criminals’ hideouts in Katakpa Village in the Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
During the operation, they neutralized one of the criminals and recovered two AK-47 Rifles, one Pump Action semi- automatic rifle, three AK-47 magazines and 90 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition.
Nwachukwu said the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has commended the troops for the successful operations.
Lagbaja has also charged them to remain resilient and sustain the momentum of the operations.
