Troops Kill Terrorists, Recover Arms in Sokoto Forest Battle
Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have killed several terrorists and recovered weapons during a fierce gun battle in Kadam Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The operation, carried out by troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion 7 in collaboration with the 8 Division Strike Team, was launched following credible intelligence that over 100 terrorists had gathered in the forest to coordinate attacks and kidnapping operations in nearby communities.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the terrorists had reportedly planned to launch attacks on local communities and move kidnapped victims to their hideouts within the forest.
“Acting swiftly on this intelligence, troops mobilised to intercept the terrorist advance, and contact was established at about 12 noon,” the statement said.
The ensuing gun battle, according to the army, was intense and prolonged as the terrorists attempted to outmanoeuvre the troops through a rear-flanking strategy.
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However, the troops responded with superior firepower, maintaining tactical dominance throughout the engagement and neutralising the threat.
Following the clash, exploitation operations conducted within the forest confirmed the killing of three terrorists, while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
Troops also recovered a cache of weapons and other items from the scene, including one PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles, 350 rounds of PKT ammunition, 111 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three magazines, two communication radios, three motorcycles and a mobile phone.
The army said follow-up operations are ongoing to track fleeing members of the terrorist group, confirm additional casualties and recover more weapons.
It added that aggressive patrols and sustained offensive operations are continuing across the general area to prevent the terrorists from regrouping and to further degrade their operational capabilities.
The military noted that the successful operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint security operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and disrupting their activities in the North-West region.
Troops’ morale, according to the statement, remains high as security forces continue efforts to restore peace and stability in affected communities.
By PRNigeria
