Troops kill 18 terrorists, destroy enclaves in Timbuktu, Bulabulin forest operations

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed at least 18 terrorists and destroyed several insurgent enclaves during coordinated ground and air offensives in the Timbuktu axis and Bulabulin Forest areas of the North-East.

According to a press release signed by Sani Uba, the operations were carried out under Operation Desert Sanity V by troops of Sector 2 in conjunction with the Air Component Command of Operation Hadin Kai, the Stabilisation Force and the Civilian Joint Task Force.

In the Bulabulin Forest axis, troops cleared terrorist hideouts at Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti, Yaro Shuwari and other locations around the forest and the Kamadogu Yobe stretch. During an encounter at Malam Shiri Village, troops supported by air strikes killed 11 terrorists, while others fled with injuries. Soldiers also destroyed life-supportstructures and recovered nine AK-47 rifles, three PKT anti-aircraft machine guns, five motorcycles, assorted ammunition and materials for improvised explosive devices.

In a separate operation along the Wajiroko-Sabongari corridor in the Timbuktu axis, troops engaged another terrorist group and maintained their positions during the assault. After the battle, seven terrorists were confirmed killed, while blood trails and body parts found in the area suggested more casualties. Recovered items included AK-47 rifles, RPG tubes, ammunition, bandoliers and communication equipment.

The military said the Air Component Command provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, as well as precision strikes on confirmed terrorist positions and fleeing fighters. It added that follow-up clearance operations are ongoing in the Forfor, Multe andWajiroko areas to track fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.