In a clearance operation at the Timbuktu Triangle, a terrorist enclave in Borno, the Defense Headquarters reports that 70 militants and their leaders had been killed.
The military had begun a three-pronged operation on January 16 to dismantle the terrorist within the triangle, according to a statement released on Sunday by Edward Buba, head of Defense Media Operations.
During the clearance operations, the troops documented multiple engagements with terrorists, killing nearly 70 of them, including three prominent commanders, according to Mr. Buba, a major general.
He claims that the terrorist commanders that were neutralized were Abu Yazeed, a terrorist brigade commander; Malam Umar, a terrorist operations commander; and Talha, a terrorist special forces commander.
Read Also: CISLAC Decries Assault on Kano Anti-Corruption Chair, Calls on IGP to Reject Political Influence
The terrorists used Person Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers), Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices (suicide bombers in explosive vehicles), and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to prevent soldiers from advancing or attacking during the operations.
“Multiple terrorist attempts, including shooting down the terrorists’ amateur drones, were thwarted by troops already familiar with the terrorist tactics,” he claimed.
But according to Mr. Buba, 22 soldiers lost their lives in the course of the operations, and numerous others were injured.
In order to provide their next of kin official notice, the media is prohibited from releasing the names of troop casualties.
He went on to say, “The operation is ongoing overall, and the public will be informed of any new developments in due course.”
