THE Nigerian Army has disclosed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have thwarted an attempted attack by the Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Damboa town.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this in a statement today in Abuja.
According to him, troops of 25 Task Force Brigade successfully quelled a dawn attack attempt on the town in the early hours of Sunday by the terrorists, noting that the criminals made a futile effort to infiltrate the town, but were met with heavy fire from the vigilant troops.
He noted that the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the town with unconfirmed numbers of foot soldiers, while some mounted on motorcycles, adding that the terrorists suffered debilitating gunshot wounds from the troops, which forced them to retreat in disarray.
Also, Nwachukwu disclosed that two vehicles belonging to the Civilian Joint Task Force were razed by fire in the course of the gun duel that ensued, noting that troops were currently on the trail of the fleeing terrorists.
“They are also encouraged not to allow any form of distraction from the marauding terrorists, whose ranks have suffered enormous depletion in manpower as a result of ongoing air and artillery bombardments.
“Law-abiding people of North-East Nigeria are assured of the Chief of Army Staff’s determination to finally rout the Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals from their hideouts.
“The good people of the North East are also encouraged to continue to avail the troops with actionable information that will enhance the execution of the ongoing Counter Terrorism Counter Insurgency operations in the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, a senior Boko Haram commandant and explosive expert identified as Mala Musa Abuja, and his second in command, Abu Darda, have surrendered.
In a statement by Nwachukwu, the insurgents, along with their families, voluntarily turned themselves in to the operatives of the ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ due to mounting pressure on the terrorists by the Nigerian military in recent weeks.
According to Nwachukwu, the terrorists were received at Bama Local Government Area of Borno State by the Acting Commander (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Abdulwahab Adelokum Eyitayo at the 21st Special Armed Brigade.
The Army spokesman described Mala Musa Abuja as a deadly “Boko Haram terrorist who specializes in setting up bombs and is credited with many bombing operations carried out by the insurgents.”
“On Saturday, August 7, one Mala Musa Abuja, an identified Boko Haram bomb expert who specializes in devising and setting up explosives for the insurgents, his deputy, Abu Darda, and their wives and children voluntarily surrendered to operatives of Operation Hadin Kai at the Bama LGA of Borno State.
“They were recieved by the Acting Commander (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Abdulwahab Adelokum Eyitayo at the 21st Special Armed Brigade, and are being debriefed
“The surrender of the Boko Haram bomb expert is as a result of the consistent and
sustained air and artillery bombardments on its enclaves in Sambisa forest and its environs.
“In the past two weeks, more than 300 terrorists and their families have surrendered to the Nigerian Army as they can no longer withstand our superior fire power,” Nwachukwu said.
