Three hundred Boko Haram/Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists have been killed on the fringes of North East Lake Chad.
The spokesman of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Lt. Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
Adegoke said the MNJTF troops killed the 300 insurgents in 30 separate encounters, adding that about four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) making factories were also destroyed.
Adegoke said that the Force Commander, Gen. Abdul Khalifa, stated this during an appraisal meeting with all Commanders of the MNJTF drawn from all sectors.
He said that increasing dependence on IEDs by the insurgents was noted and necessary countermeasures were proffered.
Khalifa praised the decisive role of the Air Component of the MNJTF/ Operation Hadin Kai for the remarkable role it played in taking out several enemy camps, equipment and commanders.
The force commander said the latest was Abu Ibrahim, an ISWAP leader (Khalifa) in the Lake Chad Tunbumas, who was a leader before in the Timbuktu General areas.
He said that the achievement was recorded due to the synergy and cooperation with Operation Hadin Kai.
According to him, more than 52,000 terrorists comprising fighters, those conscripted by force, and their families have surrendered in the MNJTF and Op Hadin Kai areas of operational responsibility.
He called on the terrorists to abandon the criminal organisation and surrender like thousands of their compatriots had done before it becomes too late.
He also praised the maritime efforts so far and said he looks forward to more successes in the next few days and weeks.
The force commander also commended the officers and men of the MNJTF for their commitment and gallantry, noting that history would remember their role in ending the scourge of terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.
He disclosed that the Operation recorded about seven casualties comprising six soldiers and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force supporting the operations.
Khalifa revealed that several troops who were injured are recuperating well.
He, therefore, prayed for the repose of the heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice and quick recovery for the injured.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News