Kelvin Bowoto
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has lost two soldiers during clearance operations aimed at improving free movement and revitalizing economic activity in the Lake Chad region.
Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Military Public Information Officer, said in a statement on Wednesday that two troops, one from Nigeria and one from Chad, died while three others were injured to varying degrees.
He stated that the operation resulted in many terrorist surrenders and the interception of a large arms haul intended for insurgency use.
He stated that the four sectors of the MNJTF had numerous accomplishments between February 10 and 20, 2024, demonstrating a boost in troop effectiveness through the surrender of terrorist elements, offensive actions, and the prevention of arms smuggling.
In a breakdown, he stated that troops from Sector 1 MNJTF in Mora, Cameroon, killed two Boko Haram terrorists and recovered 92 linked ammunition belts.
Lt. Col. Abdullahi stated that the seizure affected the terror group’s supply routes.
Between February 10 and 19, 2024, two further Boko Haram militants surrendered to forces stationed in Sectors 2 and 3, respectively, in Litri, Chad, and Doron Baga, Nigeria.
He stated that the four repentant rebels gave one AKM rifle, an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and 29 rounds of 7.62-millimeter special ammunition.
Furthermore, troops from Sector 2 Bagasola, Chad, killed Boko Haram members and seized three “teke-teke” canoes, among other terrorist logistics items.
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On February 19, 2024, forces recovered 5×155 millimeter-high explosive shells used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Meanwhile, on February 20, 2024, the Chadian Air Force, guided by reliable intelligence, carried out a successful airstrike on Boko Haram strongholds along the southern rim of Lake Chad, near the Chad-Cameroon-Nigeria border, killing several terrorists and destroying their waterway equipment.
“Several terrorists were seen jumping into the lake from their boats and are believed to have died,” the official said.
In a related development, forces from Sector 4 Diffa, Niger Republic, thwarted an arms smuggling attempt north of Nguigmi near the Niger-Chad borders on February 10, 2024.
The troops seized an ammunition stockpile containing six AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, and 50 rounds of 7.62-millimeter ammunition.
But a spokeswoman for the MNJTF said: “Sadly, despite these achievements, 2 soldiers, one each from Nigeria and Chad, paid the supreme price while 3 others sustained various degrees of injuries.”
He praised the troops’ bravery and prayed for the souls of the fallen to rest in peace.
He stated that the MNJTF was committed to its mission of restoring peace and security while creating an environment for economic growth and free movement of people in the Lake Chad basin.
“These recent achievements underscore the task force’s resolve and effort in confronting the challenges posed by terrorist activities,” he said in a statement.
Techrectory with Agency Report.
