Troops of ‘Operation Haɗin Kai’ (OPHK) have neutralised a notorious ISWAP terrorist commander, Malam Jidda, along with scores of his fighters in a coordinated air and ground operation in Gujba local government area of Yobe State and the Timbuktu Triangle in Borno State.
This is contained in a statement issued in Maiduguri yesterday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, ‘Operation Haɗin Kai’, Capt. Reuben Kovangiya.
According to the statement, the operation was launched on June 9 in Ngazalgana area of Gujba LGA, with close air support from the Air Component of OPHK. “Malam Jidda, who was identified as the Ameer of Ngorgore and Malumti villages, met his end during a fierce engagement with troops, who overpowered the terrorists with superior firepower”, it stated.
The statement noted that some terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds, while others were neutralised during a follow-up encounter in the Timbuktu Triangle, where troops conducted a snap ambush operation.
“In the course of continued exploitation in the Malam-Fatori general area of Abadam LGA, where recent offensives had been recorded, troops discovered more bodies of neutralised terrorists and recovered an array of arms and equipment”, it added.
It listed recovered items to include: AK-47 rifles, motorcycles, rocket-propelled gun tubes, magazines, large quantities of ammunition, hand grenades, hand-held radios, and other logistical items.
The Army spokesman reaffirmed the Theatre Command’s commitment to completely defeat Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents and the restoration of peace and security in the North-East region.
