The Nigerian Military has said its ongoing operations in the North-East have recorded major gains, with more than 30 terrorists neutralised and over 700 displaced Nigerians safely returned within one week.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Abuja on recent developments in the region.
According to him, the successes were recorded through what he described as “aggressive, intelligence-driven offensives targeting Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS elements,” carried out in close collaboration with air support and local security groups.
Onoja revealed that on January 30, troops conducting clearance operations in the Timbuktu Triangle around Kimba, in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, “neutralised over 20 terrorists.”
He added that one of those killed was a commander known as Julaibib, who was said to be notorious within the group.
He said similar operations were also carried out in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, as well as in Hong and Mubi North LGAs of Adamawa State.
These engagements, he noted, led to further neutralisations, the arrest of suspected kidnappers, the rescue of abducted victims and the recovery of arms and other military equipment.
In one of the most significant breakthroughs, the military uncovered and destroyed three major terrorist detention facilities along the Damboa–Gujba axis in the Timbuktu Triangle. Each facility, according to reports, had the capacity to hold about 300 captives. During the operation, 70 victims were rescued.
NAN also reported that within the same period, a second batch of about 700 Nigerian refugees was repatriated from Cameroon through the Banki border in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. Security personnel provided protection throughout the exercise.
Onoja further disclosed that sustained operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states led to the arrest of logistics suppliers and the recovery of arms and ammunition. He added that air interdiction missions destroyed five suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices along the Marguna Road in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno.
The Defence Headquarters said the intensified military campaign is steadily weakening terrorist networks and improving conditions for the safe return and resettlement of displaced persons, even as security operations in the region continue.
