By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The Nigerian Military said its troops have killed the newly appointed leader of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), Bako and 37 of his lieutenants.
Speaking on Thursday, while giving update on the military operations in the country, Brigadier General, Bernard Onyeuko, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, added that 11 other criminal elements including terrorists, informants and logistics suppliers were arrested.
He said the operations were carried out from 14 to 28 October 2021.
Onyeuko, further said that a total of 1,199 terrorists and their families, comprising 114 adult males, 312 adult females and 773 children, surrendered to the troops at different locations in the North East, between 15 and 28 October 2021.
“Additionally, a total of 29 assorted weapons, 166 rounds of assorted ammunition, among other items were recovered.
“Others are; 2 gun trucks and 622 bags of fertilizer, used for production of IEDs; while 5 kidnapped civilians were rescued. Some of these feats were recorded at; Dar, Kumshe, Wulgo, Chabbol and Kijmatari villages in Borno State as well as locations along Ngala – Wulgo and Nguru – Kano roads.
“Other locations were; Dikwa and Mafa villages as well as Ngama village in Yobe State. Furthermore,
“In another development, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted series of air interdiction missions against the BHT/ISWAP terrorists which were successful in different locations.
“Significantly, on 20 October 2021, the Air Component scored another devastating hit on BHT/ISWAP terrorist elements at Malam Fatori on the fringes of the Lake Chad. This feat was achieved on the heels of credible intelligence report and after series of aerial surveillance, which confirmed the convergence of terrorist elements in 20 boats at the location.
“Consequently, air strikes were executed on the target with various NAF platforms, which led to the destruction of the boats and neutralization of scores of the terrorists, while few of them flee in disarray with varying degrees of wounds. Similarly, on 21 October 2021, following report of ISWAP elements’ attack on own troops at Katarko area in Yobe State, the Air Component engaged the terrorists in successive air strikes and neutralized scores of them.
“Furthermore, the Maritime Component of Operation HADINK KAI has remained committed in efforts to end the insurgency in the North East Zone. To further enhance its operational efforts in the Zone, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo paid operational visit to Baga on Tuesday 19 October 2021. He assured officers and ratings of the Naval Base Baga of his commitment to ensure necessary assets and logistics needed for effective execution of operations in the North East are provided to achieve the joint operational objectives of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”