The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) said its operatives have killed 22 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist elements hibernating in the vicinity of Mallam Fatori town towards the fringes of Lake Chad.
MNJTF, in a statement issued on Thursday by its Chief of Military Public Information, Colonel Muhammad Dole, said the operation, which was part of the design to swiftly end the menace of insurgency in the Lake Chad Region, was carried out alongside troops from Sector 3 Monguno (Nigeria) and Sector 4 Diffa (Niger).
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Colonel Dole explained that the troops met strong resistance from the terrorists who launched several mortar attacks, laid Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the troop’s route of advance and further attacks with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
He, however, said the troops brought superior firepower to bear on the insurgents, forcing them to abandon their enclaves.
He added that Operation Sharan Fage was massively supported by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai and other partners with air assets and surveillance Equipment.
According to him, “In the course of this operation, 22 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised, 5 of their gun trucks destroyed, 5 motorcycles and several logistic bunkers were destroyed while 8 AK47 rifles were recovered. Regrettably, 6 members of the JTF (two officers and four other ranks) from both countries paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty with about 16 wounded in action. 17 suspects were arrested in the general area of operations and are being profiled.”
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