Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have thwarted a major terrorist attack, rescued kidnapped victims and arrested terrorist associates.
Its Media Information Officer, Lt-Col. Sani Uba in a statement issued Wednesday explained that troops of OPHK deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB), Gajibo successfully thwarted a coordinated attack by a large number of suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists mounted on motorcycles and armed with support weapons.
He said the terrorists were detected as they advanced towards the town from multiple directions.
Uba added that troops responded swiftly with heavy firepower, including mortar engagements, forcing the attackers to withdraw in disarray.
He noted: “Subsequent exploitation led to the recovery of ammunition and combat accessories. No casualties were recorded among troops.”
In related operations, Uba stressed that troops of OPHK in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) operatives arrested two suspected Boko Haram collaborators in Gubio town.
He said the suspects, both cattle rearers, are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation.
Similarly, Uba said troops, acting on credible intelligence obtained from a surrendered terrorist associate, arrested a suspected logistics supplier identified as Umar Ahmadu in Gwoza.
The suspect, he added, reportedly confessed to supplying items to terrorists on multiple occasions and is currently under interrogation.
Earlier, a 17-year-old family member of a terrorist surrendered to troops along the Gwoza–Limankara axis after escaping from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.
Uba said preliminary findings indicated that sustained military pressure and lack of basic necessities within the enclave contributed to his decision to surrender.