OPHK neutralises six terrorists, arrests 11 suspected collaborators in Borno
Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised six terrorists, arrested 11 suspected collaborators and received the surrender of a suspected Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) member in Borno.
The operations, conducted in Kaga and Gwoza Local Government Areas (LGAs) between Oct. 24 and 25, also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition and other items.
The task force said in a statement that troops of 29 Task Force Brigade Garrison, working with Hybrid Force personnel, ambushed suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and JAS terrorists along the Targejeri axis of Kaga at about 12:37 a.m. on Oct. 25.
The encounter resulted in the neutralisation of six terrorists and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, five mobile phones and charms.
In a related operation, troops raided Benisheikh town in Kaga at about 6:20 a.m. on Oct. 24, arresting six additional suspected terrorist collaborators.
The arrests brought the number of suspects apprehended in connection with the investigation to 11, including five earlier arrested.
Items recovered during the raid included an AK-47 rifle, three empty magazines, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three terrorist uniforms, a turban, a head mask, five mobile phones and charms.
The suspects are undergoing investigation to determine their alleged involvement in terrorist activities and possible links with other members of the network.
The task force also said troops of 192 Battalion (Main), supported by Hybrid Force personnel at Hambagda Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Gwoza, received a JAS member who surrendered at about 9:20 p.m. on Oct. 24.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the individual had escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains area of Gwoza to abandon terrorism.
The suspect surrendered with an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The individual is in custody for further investigation and processing in line with established procedures.
The task force said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to weaken terrorist groups, disrupt their support networks and encourage defections.
It urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support counter-terrorism operations and efforts to restore peace and stability in the North-East.
