Scores of Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Coordinated Attacks Across Borno and Yobe
Security forces have neutralised numerous Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during multiple and coordinated attacks in Kukawa town, Dalwa village, and Goniri communities.
Kukawa, the headquarters of Kukawa Local Government on the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno, Dalwa, a resettled community in Konduga Local Government Area, and Goniri, in Gujba Local Government of Yobe State near the Sambisa Forest, were all targeted over the weekend.
According to sources, the attack on Kukawa town on Sunday night focused on a military base but was repelled by troops of the Joint Task Force North East ‘Operation HADIN KAI’, supported by the Air Component. Many terrorists were killed, although a few security personnel also lost their lives.
Security expert Zagazola Makama stated, “A heavy gun battle between troops and suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State has resulted in casualties on both sides. The clash occurred when insurgents reportedly attacked a military camp, prompting troops to engage in a prolonged firefight.”
Makama added that items recovered from the insurgents’ positions included bandoliers of PKT rounds, one AK-47 rifle, one BHT machine gun, two mortar bombs, and four hand grenades. “Blood stains and drags outside the camp, suggesting insurgent casualties during the encounter,” he said.
In Dalwa village, attackers reportedly destroyed 75% of the housing estates built for returnees and caused numerous civilian casualties. The assault occurred at about 1:00 a.m., according to sources.
Troops of Operation Desert Sanity under Operation HADIN KAI also repelled an attack in Borno, killing at least two insurgents and recovering weapons and communication equipment. Security sources confirmed no soldiers were killed or wounded in the encounter, and no military equipment was damaged.
Recovered items included a PKT machine gun, three RPG bombs, 51 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition, 108 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, two Baofeng radios, one Redmi Android phone, and three Airtel SIM cards. Troops remain on high alert as clearance operations continue under Operation Desert Sanity V.
In Goniri, Yobe State, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised several terrorists attempting to overrun the 120 Battalion position. “The fighter jets released two bombs on the insurgents’ positions with devastating accuracy, resulting in the elimination of at least 10 terrorists who were trying to flee on sighting the fighting aircraft,” sources confirmed.
In a related development, some suspected fighters of Islamic State in the Sahel (IS-Sahel) attacked Tahoua Airport in western Niger Republic early Monday, targeting the Nigerien Air Force’s Bayraktar TB2 drone fleet. Makama noted, “The air base is considered a strategic installation for Niger’s counterterrorism operations, as it hosts the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used for surveillance and precision strikes against insurgent groups across the Sahel.”
No official statements have been released by security operatives regarding these incidents as of press time.
