Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI say they have discovered a mass grave containing corpses of about 20 terrorists killed by troops during operations in the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno.

This was announced in a statement on Wednesday. According to the Nigerian Army, the discovery showed the growing level of casualties the terrorists are suffering from military operations.

“In a further indication of the heavy losses suffered by the terrorists, troops discovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 terrorist bodies killed during encounters with troops in the Timbuktu Triangle and buried by their cohorts.

“This discovery exposes the scale of terrorist casualties and further discredits terrorist propaganda narratives,” the statement said.

The statement, which highlighted some successes recorded in ongoing operations in the theatre, said troops had cleared and dominated key terrorist locations across the triangle, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin-Abirma general areas.

According to the statement, during the operations, troops made intermittent contact with fleeing terrorist elements and engaged them with high volumes of fire, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists.

“On Tuesday, while consolidating at a harbour area approximately 6 km north of Chilaria, troops encountered two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED). Through vigilance and swift action, one VBIED was successfully neutralised.

“The second VBIED, however, breached the defensive position, affecting some logistics platforms.  In the course of this attack, some gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price, while others sustained injuries. The wounded were promptly evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.

“Throughout the evacuation, Nigerian Air Force platforms from the Air Component in synergy with other Nigerian Army air platforms provided continuous overwatch to ensure the safe extraction of casualties and the security of ground forces, neutralising more terrorists in the process,” it explained.

Similarly, a statement from the Joint Task Force North West Operation FASAN YAMMA said troops of Sector 2 in that axis killed two terrorists in Kebbi and rescued 62 hostages in Munhaye forest in Zamfara.

“In Zamfara, troops in a separate operation stormed Munhaye Forest, a known hideout of the notorious bandit leader Kachalla Alti, following an intelligence report that the notorious bandit leader had held some captives hostage.

“The mission led to the successful rescue of 62 kidnapped victims who are now in safe custody. Efforts  are ongoing to reunite the freed hostages with their families. These operations underscore the relentless efforts of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and its partners to dismantle terrorist networks, restore security, and protect lives in the region,” it said.

(NAN)