Troops from Nigeria, Niger neutralize 22 Boko Haram, ISWAP fighters in Lake Chad

Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) troops from Sector 3 Monguno (Nigeria) and Sector 4 Diffa (Niger) have neutralized Boko Haram, ISWAP terrorists in Lake Chad.

The operation heavily supported by Nigeria’s OPERATION HADIN KAI targeted terrorist camps in Mallam Fatori town.

The regional force met strong resistance as the insurgents launched a number of mortar attacks.

They buried Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along routes and later attacked with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).

But superior firepower eliminated 22 of them while others fled. Ten guntrucks, motorcycles and logistic bunkers were destroyed; 8 AK47 Rifles were recovered.

Troops lost 6 soldiers, including two officers, from both countries; 16 were injured. A total of 17 fighters were arrested.

The MNJTF cleared hideouts in and around Arege, Gashigar, Asaga, Kainoa, Bana, Kamagunma and others.

During debriefing at the MNJTF headquarters in Diffa, Niger, Force Commander (FC), Maj Gen Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, hailed the troops.

Kaduna-born Gen Ibrahim, who took over in August 2021, commended them for their courage and gallantry. He paid tribute to the fallen heroes.

The FC was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Force Commander MNJTF, Gen Abdou Assoumane (Niger) and other top commanders.