The Nigerian Army (NA) has said troops of 121 and 192 Battalions of Operation Lafiya Dole in collaboration with Civilian JTF and local vigilantes had on the 10th of May cleared remnants of Boko Haram fighters from Surdewalla, Ranwa, Baladayo, Sabon Gari and Shetimeri villages of Borno State in a simultaneous operation code-named “Operation Hard Strike.”
A statement from Army spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa, on Sunday further said at Ranwa 11, troops of 121 Battalion made contact with the terrorists and three of them were neutralized, while many were wounded and others escaped.
He said at the same time, troops of 192 Battalion advanced along Sabon Gari and Shetimeri villages where they cleared a scout of Boko Haram terrorists and a makeshift shelter for suspected insurgents was also destroyed.
He said similarly, on the same Friday (10th of May), based on credible intelligence, troops of 212 Tank Battalion under the operational command of 7 Division Garrison deployed at Forward Operation Base Gajigana ambushed terrorists attempting to infiltrate Gajigana town/troops’ location.
He said an unconfirmed number of terrorists were exterminated, while two soldiers wounded during the encounter are stable and receiving treatment in a military hospital.
He also said troops of 117 Task Force Battalion in collaboration with the Civilian JTF cleared Mboa, Mboa-Kura, Yarchida, Bombula, Tshata and Bamzir villages.
Musa said at Furfur village, troops had exchanged fire with Boko Haram terrorists which led to the death of one terrorist while weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.
He said the recovered items are: one AK 47 Rifle, three Magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and one magazine bandolier.
He also said the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, while on an assessment visit to FOB Gajigana, enjoined the troops to remain decisive and intensify efforts in eliminating the remnants of the terrorists.
Musa said the GOC also conveyed the commendation of the Chief of Army Staff to them and the entire troops of the Theatre Command for the latest successes in the fight against terrorism.