Troops from Operation Hadin Kai – thanks to combat intelligence from underground sources – successfully repelled an attack by “scores” of insurgents on the Mafa Local Government Area late on Monday, October 17.
Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counterinsurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, said the insurgents were believed to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
He said that, having received intelligence, the troops were ready when “scores” of insurgents stormed Mafa town on Monday night. The insurgents arrived in gun trucks and on motorbikes. Heavy fire ensued but the troops thwarted the incursion.
An intelligence source told Makama: “They attempted to attack us through Charly Papa 1, but we are able to foil their evil plans. The terrorists were severely pounded. They were forced to retreat and fled, abandoning their evil mission. There were no casualties on the side of the troops.”
On Sunday, October 16, soldiers successfully ambushed Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS) fighters along the Kumshe-Banki road in the Bama Local Government Area and killed six of them.
“Troops of 152 Battalion Banki, Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised six Boko Haram [JAS] terrorists in Banki,” a security official told Makama.
The troops had received an intelligence report, warning them of the impending attack.
“The troops ambushed dozens of Boko Haram terrorists, who regularly attack and rob commuters of their valuables on the road. But this time the troops were waiting for them. Six were killed; the rest escaped.”
In a fierce gun fight on Tuesday, October 11, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, backed by Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members, killed 19 JAS insurgents in the northeast of Gamboru Ngala, which borders Cameroon.
An intelligence source told Makama that the insurgents, who arrived in large numbers on motorbikes and in gun trucks, began to attack the troops with heavy gunfire. However, the troops were ready for them and a fierce gun battle ensued, lasting for about 40 minutes.
The insurgents abandoned their mission and ran away.
“Backed by the air force, which delivered accurate hits, the troops chased the retreating terrorists and neutrialised 19 of them in the process,” the source said.
They captured one gun truck, after killing all its occupants and recovered nine motobikes as well as multiple weapons, including a machine gun, nine AK-47 rifles and many rounds of ammunition.
The residents of Gamboru Ngala town applauded the efforts of security operatives in the fight against insurgents, saying they had made it much safer to travel on the Gamboru Ngala-Maiduguri road.
The army, in collaboration with members of CJTF, had successfully defeated and killed many insurgents this month, they said.
Umar Bukar, a resident, told RNI that the troops and the CJTF were fearless in the fight against insurgents.
“In fact, just recently the Nigerian army were ambushed by Boko Haram insurgents along the Gamboru Ngala-Maiduguri road. Following fierce fighting, the insurgents managing to capture a soldier as well as a vehicle belonging to the troops.
“But the CJTF and the soldiers refused to back down and went after the insurgents. They killed many and took 11 rifles and 12 motorbikes from the insurgents. They also retrieved the military vehicle.”
Bukar said the security operatives were doing an excellent job by making the Gamboru Ngala-Maiduguri road safer.
“Not so long ago, we were unable to travel on the road because of the constant attacks by insurgents, who forced vehicles to stop and stole valuable items belonging to the motorists and their passengers. They even killed innocent civilians. Sometimes the people of Gamboru Ngala town, who are mostly farmers and traders, travelled twice a week with a military escort. But now it is more secure because security operatives have started patrolling the road every day.
“We are very grateful to Almighty Allah and the Nigerian Army, the members of the CJTF and other security operatives for sacrificing their lives to safeguard our lives and property at all times. May God bless them all,” said Bukar.
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told RNI that, before there was a military presence, people were terrified of travelling on the Gamboru Ngala-Maiduguri road.
“Boko Haram insurgents attacked people on the road and robbed them of their valuables. The attacks have decreased and there is a lot more security in the area. I even saw one CJTF member riding an insurgent’s captured motorbike in Gamboru Ngala town. We have to commend our security operatives for protecting our lives and property not only along the highway but also in our hometown of Gamboru Ngala.
“But we still have to be watchful and careful because the attacks have not stopped altogether. On Tuesday last week the insurgents planted two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the road. Fortunately, they did not detonate.”
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
