Troops Foil ISWAP Attack in Yobe, Kill Scores, Lose 2 Soldiers, Arrest Suspect with Starlink Device in Borno
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have recorded fresh successes in ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, repelling a deadly attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)/Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists in Yobe State.
The troops also intercepted a suspected insurgent with a Starlink satellite internet device and other communication equipment in neighbouring Borno State.
Security sources said the first incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday when heavily armed ISWAP/JAS terrorists attacked a military checkpoint along the Buni Yadi-Buni Gari road in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The checkpoint, manned by troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, came under intense assault, triggering a fierce gun battle. The troops successfully repelled the attack, forcing the terrorists to retreat after sustaining casualties.
Military sources confirmed that an unspecified number of the insurgents were killed during the exchange, while troops have commenced exploitation of the area to determine the full extent of terrorist casualties and recover any abandoned weapons or equipment.
The military, however, suffered losses during the encounter, with two soldiers killed in action. A military gun truck was also destroyed, while one QJC machine gun and one AK-47 rifle were reported missing. Efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons.
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Reinforcements have since been deployed to the area to strengthen security, while clearance and pursuit operations are continuing to track down the fleeing terrorists and prevent further attacks.
In a separate operation on Wednesday, troops of the 212 Battalion intercepted a suspected ISWAP member during a routine stop-and-search operation at Delta One along the Maiduguri-Monguno road in Munguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
The suspect was arrested after troops observed suspicious movements and conducted a search, leading to the recovery of a Starlink satellite internet terminal, a Wi-Fi router with six access points, a mobile phone and ₦1,000 in cash.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect claimed he operated an internet service business in his community and that the communication equipment was intended for legitimate commercial use.
However, security sources said the circumstances surrounding his movement and possession of the sophisticated communication devices raised operational concerns, prompting his transfer to the Military Intelligence Brigade (7 MIB) for detailed profiling and intelligence exploitation.
Investigators are expected to determine whether the recovered equipment was intended to support terrorist communications, logistics or other operational activities, as well as identify any possible collaborators or links to ISWAP/JAS networks operating in the region.
Military authorities said the latest operations underscore the sustained efforts of Operation HADIN KAI to dismantle terrorist networks by disrupting their operational capabilities, logistics and communications while maintaining pressure on insurgent groups across the North-East.
By PRNigeria
