Troops Clear Terrorists Haven in Lake Chad Fringes

Troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army,  Operation LAFIYA DOLE, led by the General Officer Commanding of the Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, conducted a decisive clearance operation into the remnants of Boko Haram strategic hub town of Chukungudu on the southern fringes of the Lake Chad Region, northern parts of Borno State between Friday 4th and Saturday 5th November 2016.  The maneuvering Brigade led by 3 Battalion of   22 Brigade, successfully cleared Geram, Bulankassa and Chukungudu believed to be  the Boko Haram terrorists stronghold in that area. The gallant troops rescued 85 people, comprising of mostly women and children held hostage by insurgents.

Similarly, they neutralized 5 Boko Haram terrorists fighters in a fierce encounter that made several of the terrorists running into the Lake Chad waters.

The troops recovered  4 rounds of Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs,  1 Double Barrel Gun, 349  packets containing various rounds of ammunitions, 3 Magazines,  a link belt of machine gun ammunition and 1 AK-47 rifle magazine.

During the clearance operations, the troops made spectacular discovery of  an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory at Geram. In the factory, they found several already primed suicide bombers’ vests. They also discovered a well equipped motor vehicles and motorcycles’ workshop and spare parts where house at Chukungudu village.

The troops recovered 3 vehicles and several newly acquired motorcycles.

Unfortunately, a soldier died during the encounter.

In line with Rules of Engagement, IED factory, vehicles and motorcycles were destroyed.

You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium.

Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations