Troops Kill More Than 50 ISWAP Fighters in Counter-Offensive in Borno After General’s Death

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s operation Hadin Kai have neutralized more than 50 members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Askira Uba LGA of Borno state.

On Saturday, the terrorists killed Brigadier General, Dzarma Zirkusu who was on his way for reinforcement in the area.

According to a statement on Monday, army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu said: “Troops of Joint Task Force, North East (NE), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised over 50 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroyed several of their combat equipment in a fierce counter offensive in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State,”

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“In the counter offensive, troops eliminated top commanders of ISWAP as well as foot soldiers. The gallant troops also unleashed massive destruction on the terrorists’  Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle and several Gun Trucks.

“It would be recalled that 115 Task Force Battalion had an encounter with ISWAP terrorists in Askira Uba on 13 November 2021, during which the troops aggressively defended their location and followed up with a ferocious counter attack. Unfortunately, the Commander 28 Task Force Brigade alongside three of his soldiers paid the supreme price, as they reinforced troops to defend the location.

“While the battle raged, the gallant troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, supported by Air Component of OPHK, engaged the terrorists in a hot pursuit. Troops made contact with the fleeing terrorists at Leho village within Askira Uba LGA and in the encounter that ensued, troops eliminated scores of terrorists and destroyed their combat equipment.

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“The equipment destroyed by troops include, an MRAP vehicle and 11 Gun Trucks. The troops also recovered large cache of arms and ammunition viz., Five Gun Trucks, two Anti Aircraft Guns, five AK 47 rifles, one HK Machine Gun and one HK Machine Gun links.

“Relatedly, troops of 115 Task Force Battalion conducted a dawn exploitation towards Leho village and environs, where they discovered 3 corpses of the fleeing terrorists and also recovered 2,560 rounds of 7.62mm Special and 29 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition abandoned by the terrorists.”