The Nigerian Army, in conjunction with a hybrid force and element of the Civilian Joint Task Force, have successfully overran Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ stronghold in the Lake Chad region.

This was announced in a statement by army spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday.

He said the offensive operation was conducted on Wednesday with a fierce battle leading to the killing of three terrorists and the recovery of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.

Other items recovered are a truck-mounted anti-aircraft gun and a cache of arms and ammunition.

He said the insurgents attacked the troops with a Vehicle Borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), mortar, gun trucks and motorbikes.

Mr Nwachukwu said the insurgents fell under the overwhelming superior firepower of the troops, forcing them to abandon their stronghold, armaments and equipment in disarray.

According to him, the operation proved to be a major setback to the insurgents, as the gallant troops neutralised three terrorists.

“Items recovered are one MRAP, one gun truck, one Dushka machine gun, one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated gun. Troops also captured one rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bomb, 273 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one Pumping machine, 65 Dushka links, 48 general-purpose machine gun links and three motorbikes.

“The gallant troops are presently exploiting their success in pursuit of the routed insurgents,” he said.

(NAN)