By Our Correspondent
National News – The Nigerian military has recorded major operational gains in the fight against terrorism, killing dozens of insurgents and thwarting a drone-assisted attack during coordinated operations in the North-East.
According to the Defence Headquarters, troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled a major terrorist assault in Mallam Fatori, located in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, dealing a heavy blow to insurgent fighters.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed the development while presenting an update on nationwide military operations conducted between March 13 and March 19 in Abuja.
He explained that troops successfully neutralised several terrorists during the attack and prevented the enemy from gaining ground.
Onoja revealed that follow-up clearance and exploitation missions uncovered 74 terrorist bodies at the battlefield.
Troops also recovered a large cache of weapons, including 38 AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns and a rocket-propelled grenade tube.
The military also blocked multiple infiltration attempts by terrorists in Bama, Gujba and Kaga local government areas.
Air and ground troops simultaneously repelled attacks in Baga, Damboa, Buratai and Njimtilo, further weakening the operational strength of insurgent groups such as ISWAP.
Security forces also intercepted suspected gunrunners in Taraba State, seizing ammunition, motorcycles and large sums of cash believed to be linked to terrorist logistics.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out successful missions across Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states.
Several terrorists were neutralised in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while kidnapped victims were rescued in Katsina.
Military personnel also foiled an attempted abduction of a cleric in Kaduna, forcing attackers to flee under heavy pressure.
In Kano, a female ammunition courier was intercepted with 884 rounds of ammunition, highlighting ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist supply networks.
Across the North-Central region, troops under Operations Savannah Shield and Enduring Peace arrested suspected terrorists and disrupted illegal mining activities in Kwara, Plateau and Nasarawa states.
The military also intensified operations in the Niger Delta and South-East, arresting suspects involved in oil theft, cultism and other criminal activities while recovering illegal weapons and explosives.
