In Borno State, the Nigerian Army announced on Wednesday that troops from Operation Desert Sanity III successfully seized a stronghold belonging to the Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province.
The operation, which involved both air and ground units, focused on clearing out the terrorist stronghold located along Ngumne, Kawaran, and Mangu axis in the Sambisa Forest and Timbuktu Triangle.
Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, issued a statement saying that the troops encountered fierce resistance from the terrorists who used Improvised Explosive Devices. Fortunately, the troops’ superior firepower allowed them to overcome the enemy.
The statement released by Onyema highlighted the success of the troops in overpowering the terrorists and seizing their stronghold. The operation, part of Operation Desert Sanity III, utilized a combination of artillery, air bombardments, and ground combat.
Following the intense battle, the troops were able to recover two gun trucks and destroy the terrorists’ camp.
Onyema mentioned, “After the operation, our brave soldiers discovered valuable armaments and equipment, including two gun trucks, a 105mm Pack Howitzer, two exploded improvised explosive device cases, and a burnt Rocket-Propelled Grenade tube. The soldiers also demolished the terrorists’ enclaves.”
He emphasized that this bold operation is evidence of the Nigerian Army’s dedication to eliminating terrorism and safeguarding the region. The retrieval of heavy artillery and gun trucks represents a significant blow to the terrorists.
During separate operations between January and April 2024, troops from various theatres of operations across the country recovered a total of 66,692 arms and ammunition from non-state actors, according to NewsNow Online reports.
A detailed breakdown shows that troops seized a total of 3,117 dangerous arms and 63,575 rounds of ammunition.