The Nigerian Army, working alongside the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Tactical Team, has dismantled a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist camp in the Kopre Mountain area of Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
The operation was conducted in the early hours of Wednesday following intelligence reports about the presence and activities of terrorists in the mountainous area.
According to the military, troops of Operation Hadin Kai engaged the insurgents in two separate encounters during the operation, reportedly neutralizing more than 21 terrorists. Several others were said to have escaped into the surrounding terrain with gunshot wounds.
The Nigerian Army said the operation resulted in the destruction of the terrorists’ logistics infrastructure in the area.
Troops also recovered several AK-47 rifles, magazines and a significant quantity of 7.62mm ammunition during the operation.
Military personnel also destroyed motorcycles, bicycles and jerrycans containing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which the terrorists allegedly used as part of their logistics network.
The destruction of the camp and its supplies is expected to disrupt the group’s ability to operate and move personnel and materials through the difficult terrain.
The military said the operation was also aimed at rescuing people abducted from Mussa community and the Lassa area of Adamawa State.
Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (Northeast), Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops were intensifying search and rescue operations to locate and free the remaining abducted persons.
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He said Operation Hadin Kai would continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds and weakening their logistics and fighting capabilities.
“The Joint Task Force (Northeast), Operation HADIN KAI, remains resolute in sustaining aggressive, intelligence-driven operations aimed at locating and rescuing abducted persons, dismantling terrorist strongholds, degrading their logistics and fighting capabilities,” Goni said. He added that search and rescue efforts would continue until all the abducted persons were located and rescued.
The military high command commended the soldiers involved in the operation, as well as members of the ONSA Tactical Team, for what it described as gallantry, professionalism, resilience and effective coordination.
The high command said the operation demonstrated the security forces’ ability to project combat power into challenging terrain while restricting the freedom of movement and operations of terrorist groups.
The latest operation forms part of ongoing military efforts to weaken Boko Haram and ISWAP networks operating across northeastern Nigeria.
Authorities say troops will continue intelligence-led operations across the region as they work to dismantle terrorist camps, disrupt logistics and rescue civilians held by insurgent groups.
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