Credit:Twitter/HQNigerianArmy
To contain insurgency in the Lake Chad region, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has conducted an operation, SHARAN FAGE, against Boko Haram terrorists, destroying their bunkers and killing several members of the sect.
The exercise was conducted by troops drawn from Sector 3 Monguno (Nigeria) and Sector 4 Diffa (Niger).
The operation, which was supported by OP HADIN KAI (Nigeria), targeted Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents hibernating in Mallam Fatori Town and fringes of Lake Chad.
A statement, yesterday, by the Chief of Military Public Information, MNJTF, N’Djamena Chad, Colonel Muhammed Dole, stated: “In line with its mandate of support for facilitating willing Internally displaced persons and refugees to return voluntarily and safely to their ancestral homes, the MNJTF provided security for the continued security enhancement work in this area and would do so until the inhabitants return.”
It continued: “The operation also created a favourable atmosphere under which the festivities marking the 63rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Niger was peacefully conducted on December 18, 2021 in Diffa, with President Mohamed Bazoum in attendance. It should be noted that this was the first of such celebrations in many years.
“Troops met strong resistance from the terrorists, who launched several mortar attacks, laid Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the troops’ route of advance and initiated further onslaughts with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
“However, the troops brought superior fire power to bear on the insurgents forcing them to abandon their enclaves. Operation SHARAN FAGE was massively supported by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai and other partners with air assets and surveillance equipment.”
Dole further said: “This support spurred the determined troops to successfully clear enemy hideouts in and around Arege, Gashigar, Asaga, Kainoa, Bana and Kamagunma, among other general areas.
“In the course of this operation, 22 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised, five of their gun trucks destroyed, five motorcycles and several logistic bunkers were destroyed while eight AK47 fifles were recovered.
“Regrettably, six members of the JTF (two officers and four other ranks) from both countries paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty with about 16 wounded in action. 17 suspects were arrested in the general area of operations and are being profiled.”
The Guardian
