Troops thwart attack by terrorists, arrest suspects

Troops of the Joint Task Force ( North East) , Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have thwarted terrorists’ attack and rescued victims, just as a 17-year-old terrorist relative surrendered in the North East. 

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, said the terrorists which was riding on motorcycles was quickly detected as they advanced towards the town from multiple directions. 

He said troops responded swiftly with heavy firepower, including mortar engagements, forcing the attackers to withdraw in disarray, adding that troops recovered ammunition and combat accessories.

In related operations, troops of OPHK in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) operatives arrested two suspected Boko Haram collaborators in Gubio town. The suspects who are cattle rearers are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation.

Similarly, troops, acting on credible intelligence obtained from a surrendered terrorist associate, arrested a suspected logistics supplier identified as Umar Ahmadu. The suspect 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,” the statement said.

Preliminary findings indicate that sustained military pressure and lack of basic necessities within the enclave contributed to his decision to surrender. 

Further demonstrating operational effectiveness, troops of OPHK intercepted and rescued two male victims who had been kidnapped from Mafa town. The statement added that the victims who escaped from captivity with poor vision have been handed over for further medical evaluation and necessary action.