The Army also said several terrorists fled with gunshot injuries during the gun duel that ensued during the operation.
Troops during a raid on Sambisa forest on March 8, 2024, killed three terrorists and destroyed their hideouts in the forest.
However, in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, five locally fabricated double barrel guns, two motorbikes, and assorted foodstuffs belonging to the terrorists were recovered during the operation.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Army troops in conjunction with hybrid force elements, have successfully neutralised eight Boko Haram / ISWAP terrorists at Ukuba; a notorious terrorists’ enclave in Sambisa Forest. The operation, which took place on Sunday, March 10, 2024, witnessed a fierce gun battle that inflicted severe losses on the terrorist group, compelling them to retreat and abandon their camp in disarray.
“A thorough search of the captured camp by the gallant troops led to the recovery of 5 locally fabricated double barrel guns, 2 motorbikes and assorted foodstuff, belonging to the terrorists”.
Onyema also said that in a similar operation conducted in Katsina, two terrorists were killed.
He said, “In a separate clearance operation on the same day in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, troops cleared Dan Birgima, Ungwan Noma, Katoge, and Pauwa Villages. During the operation, troops gunned down 2 insurgents in combat and recovered 3 AK-47 Rifles, 8 Magazines, 57 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 3 Baofeng Radio sets, 12 Baofeng Radio Chargers and one Bandolier.
“The troops also rescued a civilian, who had been in captivity of the insurgents for days. Two motorcycles and makeshift structures in the insurgents’ camp were also destroyed by the troops.”
Onyema further noted that another operation was carried out in Zamfara State, where two terrorists were equally killed.
He said, “In the same vein, troops have cleared Dandalla, Madada, Dogon Karfe, Hayi, Gobirawan and Kango Kuyambana villages in Gusau and Maru Local Government Areas of Zamfara state. In the encounter with the insurgents, troops neutralized two of them and recovered an AK-47 rifle, three fabricated guns, two rounds of anti-aircraft raft ammunition, one Motorbike, and two Solar panels.”
Onyema stated that another operation was conducted by troops in Abia and Ebonyi states, leading to the destruction of the Indigenous People of Biafra’s fighters’ hideouts.
According to him, arms were produced in the destroyed camps.
He said, “In South Eastern Nigeria, troops on Sunday 10 March 2024 successfully raided and destroyed IPOB/ ESN Fighters’ firearms production factory located between Ekoli Edda and Amagwu Ohafia communities in Abia and Eboyin states, respectively.
“The dissidents’ camp, which was used for fabricating firearms and production of ammunition was fortified with fire trenches/sandbag parapets and powered with a 15 KVA Generator.
“The vigilant troops recovered 2 fabricated AK-47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb, 2 IPOB/ESN flags, as well as Welding and Filing machines from the factory.”
