Troops have killed a Boko Haram terrorist and recovered 15 motorcycles as well as ammunition during a clearance operation in Gulbi community of Niger state.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, a joint ground and air operation was carried out between May 30 and May 31 following reports that terrorists were using Gulbi as a staging area and had allegedly hoisted flags in the village.
“However, upon arrival, troops discovered that no Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) or Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) flags had been hoisted in the community,” Makama said.
“Determined to deny terrorists freedom of action within the area, the troops conducted an extensive clearance operation and dominated the general area.
“On their return from the mission, the troops made contact with fleeing terrorists and engaged them in a fierce firefight. The superior firepower and coordinated action of the joint force forced the terrorists to retreat in disarray.”
Makama said troops recovered 15 motorcycles believed to have been used by the terrorists for transportation and other operations.
Several other motorcycles were destroyed at the scene because they could not be evacuated.
“Troops also recovered 253 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, while the corpse of one neutralized terrorist was discovered during the operation,” Makama said.
“In the aftermath of the operation, residents of Gulbi and surrounding communities reportedly trooped out in large numbers to express gratitude to the troops for their efforts in clearing the area of terrorist elements.”
