Troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, operating under Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, on Tuesday successfully foiled an ambush by suspected Boko Haram terrorists along the Buni Gari-Buratai axis in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.
It explained that the troops, while conducting a routine patrol along the axis, encountered the terrorists and responded decisively, forcing the terrorists to withdraw from the area in disarray.
According to it, reinforcement was subsequently deployed, enabling the troops to clear the ambush site and conduct further exploitation of the surrounding area.
The statement further added that during the operation, troops discovered and dismantled several makeshift camps assessed to have been used by the terrorists as temporary staging and hideout locations.
It added that the items recovered from the criminal elements included one motorcycle, bicycles, one magazine, ammunition and rocket-propelled grenade bombs, and that there were no casualties among own troops during the encounter.
It, however, pointed out that some military vehicles sustained damage as a result of the engagement, adding that ‘notwithstanding the damage, the troops remained operational and successfully completed the mission’.
The statement further explained that the operation underscored the resolve and fighting spirit of troops of Operation HADIN KAI to deny terrorist elements freedom of action, disrupt their activities and protect communities across the theatre, adding that the general security situation within the area of responsibility remains calm but unpredictable, as troops continue to maintain aggressive patrols and other coordinated security operations to safeguard lives and property.
It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements, persons or activities to the appropriate security agencies, saying that such timely information remained critical to ongoing efforts to detect, disrupt and neutralise terrorist activities within the theatre.