A source said troops uncovered 54 improvised explosive devices rigged in gas cylinders and wired in series beneath the Dikwa–Marte Bridge in Borno. According to the source, troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade and 50 Task Force Battalion, operating under Operation Hadin Kai, carried out the operation on July 4.

The devices planted by ISWAP/JAS insurgents to sabotage the critical infrastructure were neutralised by explosive ordnance disposal specialists, he stated.

The source stated that troops of the 7 Division Garrison, in conjunction with local hunters and hybrid forces, successfully launched coordinated ambushes, eliminating three terrorists at Platari and Komala in the Konduga LGA.

According to the source, troops recovered motorcycles, agrochemicals and food items.

“Concurrently, 222 Battalion troops repelled an attempted infiltration of the Mandarari IDP Camp, neutralising several insurgents in the process. In another proactive engagement, the acting commander of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, Brig.-Gen. BMG Martins, led a surgical raid on terrorist hideouts in Mandaragirau, Nguma, Kimba and Sabon Gari.

“This resulted in the elimination of two terrorist scouts and the seizure of a cache of weapons,” stated the source.

The source added, “Relatedly, the sustained operation led to the surrender of 14 family members of ISWAP/JAS fighters, consisting of eight women and six children. Additionally, a teenage terrorist of Buduma descent surrendered, along with a horse, to troops of the 19 Brigade in Baga on July 5.”

In the North-West zone, the source said the troops of the 8 Division Garrison neutralised a terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle and a motorcycle along the Takatsaba, Sabon Birni route in Sokoto.

The source added that troops also apprehended two suspected terrorist collaborators during a fighting patrol to Gudun in Illela LGA.

In the North-Central, the source said the troops of the 176 Guards Battalion intercepted two suspected arms couriers in possession of an AK-47 rifle along the Gwagwalada-Kuje road within Abuja.

The source explained that the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke killed an armed assailant and recovered a locally fabricated pistol with ammunition during a response to a civilian attack in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue.

(NAN)