Nigerian Navy Marines, working alongside troops of the Army’s 403 Amphibious Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI, have neutralised 34 terrorists in two separate offensive operations in the Lake Chad area of Borno State.
The operations, conducted between October 28 and Friday, targeted terrorist positions, including a Boko Haram enclave at Dumba, as security forces intensified efforts to dismantle insurgent networks in the North-East.
The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development in an operational report on Saturday, explaining that a revised battle damage assessment increased the initial casualty figure from the October 28 operation.
According to him, the Navy Marines initially reported that eight terrorists were killed during the offensive operation on October 28. However, a subsequent assessment revised the number to 28.
In a separate operation on Friday, the Navy Marines launched a precision strike against an identified Boko Haram terrorist enclave at Dumba following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Folorunsho said the intelligence operations enabled the military to identify and monitor the terrorists before the strike was executed.
He added that preliminary battle damage assessments indicated that approximately six terrorists were neutralised, while several others sustained injuries.
However, he noted that the casualty figures from the Dumba operation remained subject to further verification as military assessments continued.
According to NAN, the naval spokesman said the recently established Navy Marines had strengthened joint military operations under Operation HADIN KAI since their deployment, particularly in offensive engagements against terrorist groups operating around the Lake Chad area.
He explained that their involvement had enhanced the military’s capacity to target insurgent hideouts, disrupt hostile activities and restrict Boko Haram’s operational freedom.
According to him, the operations form part of sustained efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities and restore peace and stability across the North-East.
‘The Navy remains committed to supporting joint operations through sustained offensive action and intelligence-driven engagements to strengthen national security and protect vulnerable communities,’ Folorunsho said.