An Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander and at least 70 insurgents and five of their wives were killed in a weekend of strategic strikes by Operation Hadin Kai troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Borno State.

The troops carried out massive blitzes in the Dikwa, Bama, Konduga and Biu Local Government Areas. The exact number of those killed is not known as many who were fleeing from the strikes were severely wounded. The soldiers and the CJTF also seized a large number of weapons and vehicles.

Many of those killed were praying in a mosque when the security operative struck.

On Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25, the troops raided an ISWAP hideout in Dikwa, killing 41 insurgents, including a  commander, Abu Zahra. Many other insurgents fled for their lives.

A member of the CJTF, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, told RNI that the attack in Dikwa was fierce. Besides the five wives who were killed, many other wives were apprehended and placed in the New Arrival Camp in Dikwa town where they are undergoing profiling.

“We started the massive security strikes at Mallam Maja village on the morning of Thursday, March 23. We successfully neutralised 10 insurgents before heading to a forest close to Mukdolo village where we secretly ambushed and killed scores of insurgents who were praying in a mosque. We continued scouting out the area and killing insurgents throughout the night and well into Saturday.

“We planned the strike carefully after the insurgents attacked mostly farmers and fishermen earlier this month, killing at least 36 of them. We neutralised many insurgents, stormed and burnt down their hideouts and camps and seized weapons, vehicles, motorbike and bicycles. We also raided their market where we took many livestock, including chickens, goats and sheep.”

The CJTF source said the soldiers and their members were greeted warmly by the residents of Dikwa town.

“The residents were cheering us on and were jubilant about our victory. A great thing is that neither soldiers nor CJTF members died and, in fact, no one was even injured. I can say with certainty that right now there are no insurgents in the nearby forests or on the outskirts of Dikwa town.”

Fatima Bukar, a resident of Dikwa, told RNI that the whole town was celebrating the security forces’ victory.

“I’m very glad to hear the great news that our gallant and fearless soldiers and CJTF members have successfully killed the Boko Haram [Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS)] insurgents who, not so long ago, killed innocent farmers who were tending to their lands and collecting firewood, as well as fishermen who were at the river close to the forest. Many parents lost their children and wives lost their husbands. Even though the heavy attack by security operatives will not bring back their lost ones, I am sure it will ease their pain and sorrow and broken hearts.”

Kaka Zara said she had heard rumours that there would be an attack by the troops on the insurgents.

“I did not witness the battle but I saw many women who were apprehended and there were many motorbikes, bicycles and other property that were seized. It is a victory for all of us.”

Ya Gaidaram said: “May God bless and protect our fearless soldiers and CJTF members. They should always remain on this path of success.”

Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counterinsurgency expert in the Lake Chad area, said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai and members of the CJTF had “eliminated the terrorists in a silent intelligence-led midnight offensive, coordinated by Major-General Shaibu Waidi, the general commander of Operation Hadin Kai troops based in the Dikwa, Ngala and Mafa regions.

“The raid followed an attack, believed to be by the Islamist sect, which killed  fishermen and farmers in Gupdilo on March 10.

“The armed terrorists, headed by Abu Darda and Abu Muhammed, also stormed Mafa town in the early morning hours of March 19, a few hours after the elections, but the attack was thwarted by troops. A number of insurgents were killed and their gun trucks seized.”

Makama said troops of 222 Battalion, Operation Hadin Kai, had also killed “several ISWAP members” when the stormed Kawuri village in Konduga on March 25.

“There was heavy gunfire as the troops arrived just as the insurgents were breaking their Ramadan fast. The troops acted swiftly, forcing the terrorists to disperse. At least seven insurgents were neutralised as they tried to escape into the Sambisa Forest.”

A source told Makama that the troops had seized gun trucks, an anti-aircraft gun and all their weapons. There were no casualties among the troops.

Makama said soldiers had also killed an unconfirmed number of JAS insurgents in an attack on March 25 when troops raided six insurgent camps on the fringes of Sambisa Forest.

“The terrorists were eliminated after a crushing intrusion into their enclaves by the troops of 21 Task Force Brigade Bama, in conjunction with the CJTF.”

An intelligence source told Makama that the troops had successfully cleared the terrorists’ hideouts in Bula Agaida, Bula Yaga, Bula Lambai, Kuluri, Bula Umar and New Churchur in Bama Local Government Area.

He said that during the raid the troops “discovered and destroyed a large Boko Haram camp between Bula Agaida and Bula Yaga. They also discovered and destroyed the terrorists’ market.”

Makama said troops had repelled an ISWAP attack on Monday, March 27, in Kunnari near Burutai town in Biu Local Government Area.

“The terrorists were said to have stormed the town at about 3am and tried to attack the military base. But the troops responded immediately, killing eight insurgents. The rest ran away. The soldiers chased the terrorists and intercepted two who were trying to fix their motorbike. They were killed by the soldiers. One soldier was wounded during the gunbattle.”

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO