Nigeria, Cameroon troops in joint military operation

The Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF said on Wednesday that its troops have killed 31 Boko Haram terrorists while two soldiers have lost their lives in the ongoing Operation GAMA AIKI it launched against terrorists fleeing bombardments from Nigerian military forces in Sambisa forest to parts of Niger Republic and Lake Chad region.

MNTJF said the operation which is aimed at ensuring that the terrorists are prevented from establishing another sanctuaries and hideouts in the Lake Chad region involved the its troops and National Air and ground forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroun and Niger Republics.

Colonel Muhammad Dole, Chief Military Public Information Officer, Operation GAMA AIKI who revealed this in a statement also said the troops have succeeded in capturing many high grade equipments from the insurgents while many villages have also been cleared on Boko Haram members during the operations.

The statement signed by Colonel Dole reads, “The firepower of Op LAFIYA DOLE (Crackdown) has caused massive movement of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) escaping from SAMBISA FOREST towards Northern Borno state border with Niger Republic and Lake Chad Islands.

“In a concerted effort to keep up with its mandate, the Headquarters, Multinational Joint Task Force (HQ MNJTF) launched OP GAMA AIKI to clear all remnants of BHT in its general Area of Responsibility (AOR). This is aimed at ensuring that the terrorists are prevented from establishing another sanctuaries and hideouts in the Lake Chad region.

“Op GAMA AIKI involved the MNJTF troops and National Air and ground forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroun and Niger Republics.

“Since the launch of the Op GAMA AIKI, appreciable operational successes are being recorded in the frontlines. During some fierce encounters with the terrorists such as in Doran Nairi, Faide-Jimba,  Yebi-Tasugia, Yebi-Jemi, Alli Kanori, Yebi Tumanba and Alagarno villages up to Doron Naira along Sector 3 (Nigeria) axis have been cleared.

Likewise, Littri, Madayi and some villages on the Lake Chad Island along Sector 2 axis hitherto infested by the insurgents were successfully cleared by Sector 2 (Chad).

“During these encounters, MNJTF troops neutralized 31 terrorists, seized and destroyed large quantity of equipment and cache of arms and ammunition.

“Among the equipment captured are 1 x Hilux mounted with Shilka gun with 97 rounds of 21mm (AA), 14 x AK 47 rifles, 4 x RPG Bombs, 6 x Mortar Bombs, 2 x GPMG rifles, 1 x HK 24 MG, 1 x AKM MG and 8 x Bandoliers among others equipment destroyed in suit. While MNJTF lost 2 x soldiers and 12 others were wounded, who are currently receiving medical attention.”

Colonel Dole added in the statement that while addressing the troops of Sector 3 Baga at the Forward Edge of Battle Area (FEBA), the Commander, MNJTF, Major General Lamidi Adeosun charged them to remain focused and determined to flush out remnants of insurgents from the MNJTF AOR.

“The Commander wishes to use this medium to appeal to the civil populace within the operational areas to continue to cooperate with our gallant troops to enable the final defeat of the BHT.

“He equally urges the citizens living along the borders to be security conscious and watch out for fleeing BH elements during the operation and report all suspicious movements to the military and other security agents within the area,” he added.