Troops Kill ISWAP Commander, 20 Fighters in Yobe Attack
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed more than 20 insurgents, including a commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, during a coordinated attack on a military position in Goniri, Yobe State.
The insurgents reportedly launched the attack late Monday night, advancing from multiple directions in an attempt to encircle troops stationed in the area.
However, the troops detected the movement through surveillance assets and swiftly engaged the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat after a fierce gun battle.
A statement on Wednesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said the terrorists attacked troops deployed in Goniri under Sector 2 of the joint task force between the night of March 9 and the early hours of March 10.
He said the insurgents advanced simultaneously from Goniri village and the Ngamdu junction axis in what appeared to be a coordinated effort to overwhelm the troops.
Uba said the soldiers responded promptly while reinforcements were mobilised and the air component of the operation provided close air support.
“The terrorists were overwhelmed by the gallant troops who responded swiftly with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvre,” the statement said.
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According to him, the attackers suffered heavy casualties during the clash, with over 20 fighters neutralised, including a senior ISWAP commander identified as Abu Yusu, the Munzir of Dursula.
He added that several weapons and equipment were recovered after the terrorists fled the scene.
Items recovered include multiple machine guns, AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices, bombs and assorted ammunition.
Uba said further exploitation operations conducted by troops in the Gwaigomari area within the Timbuktu Triangle led to the discovery of additional terrorist bodies during follow-up patrols on Wednesday.
He added that troops who sustained injuries during the encounter were evacuated for medical treatment and were currently in stable condition.
The spokesman said the military had retained full control of the location while troops, supported by the air component, continued aggressive follow-up operations to track fleeing terrorists.
He said search and clearance operations were ongoing in nearby communities where some wounded insurgents were believed to have escaped.
Uba added that the military high command had commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain the operational momentum in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.
By PRNigeria
