Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have killed dozens of terrorists and captured more than 40 in recent operations in the Lake Chad Basin, says the MNJTF spokesman Kamarudeen Adegoke.

He revealed this in a statement on Wednesday in N’Djamena, Chad.

Mr Adegoke said the troops also destroyed several terrorist camps during the clearance and stabilisation operations in the region conducted from January 18 to 29.

He added that 87 Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists surrendered within the period.

Mr Adegoke said in Sector 1, Cameroon, the troops conducted ambush operations on January 22 and 23 in the general area of Kolofata-Kirawa, captured one terrorist alive and recovered a significant quantity of assorted foodstuff.

He said in Sector 2, Chad, the troops had dominated the maritime domain from Bagalam-Kongalam to Koulfoua and denied the terrorists freedom of operation. The MNJTF spokesman said this had led to the return of about 3,000 civilians in the general area of Bakatorolorom.

Mr Adegoke also said troops of Sector 3, Nigeria, had, on January 18 and 23, intercepted a Boko Haram logistics supplier in Baga possessing motorcycle spare parts.

He added that the troops, on January 27, encountered terrorists along Damasak–Gubio road who fled on sighting the troops and abandoned two motorcycles, two hand grenades and some terrorists uniforms.

Mr Adegoke said a raid operation on terrorists’ camp in Matari on the Niger/Nigeria border was conducted by troops of Sector 4, Niger, on January 21 and 23, with the support of Sector 3, Nigeria, and other partners.

According to him, the well-conducted special forces operation led to the destruction of the terrorists’ camp, neutralisation of over a dozen terrorists, destruction of their equipment and capture of two high-value target criminals.

“There was no casualty on our forces’ side as they were successfully extricated. The courageous troops of Sector 4, Niger, acting on intelligence reports, also swooped on three suspected terrorist logisticians in Nguigmi market on January 29 in the Niger Republic,” the statement explained. “They were trying to buy supplies for suspected BHT/ISWAP key leaders hiding in Lake Chad. A total of N1.2 million (old notes) and CFA160,000 were recovered.”

Mr Adegoke noted that those arrested were undergoing profiling.

“On the same day, troops of Sector 4, in continuing offensive operations, conducted a special forces raid operation in Afofo forest in the Niger Republic and destroyed a terrorist camp and captured 36 suspected criminals,” he said.

Mr Adegoke said 77 terrorists comprising fighters and their families surrendered in the last two weeks to MNJTF Sector 4 troops in response to kinetic and non-kinetic activities of the MNJTF.

He added that eight others surrendered in the same period to Sector 1, Cameroon and Sector 2, Chad troops, totalling 85 surrendered terrorists.

According to him, all the surrendered are being treated in line with International Humanitarian Laws and profiled for further action by relevant state and non-governmental organisations.

(NAN)