Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested four suspected Boko Haram terrorists following a night ambush in Yobe State, while 11 other terrorists surrendered to the military.
The operations, conducted between September 15 and 22, also resulted in the arrest of nine suspected drug dealers in the state.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Goni said troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, laid an ambush east of Azare Village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State at about 11pm on Monday, September 21.
According to him, the troops made contact with suspected terrorists and engaged them in a firefight, using superior firepower.
“During subsequent exploitation of the area, troops arrested four suspected terrorists. Blood traces observed in the general area indicate possible casualties among the fleeing terrorist elements,” the statement said.
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The troops recovered four bicycles, a large quantity of groceries, one sheep and expended 7.62mm Special ammunition cases from the scene.
The military said the arrested suspects and recovered items were in its custody for further investigation, while exploitation of the area continued.
In a related operation, troops of the brigade arrested nine suspected drug dealers during a routine patrol in Buni Yadi, also in Gujba LGA, on September 19.
The suspects were allegedly found in possession of a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs and cannabis, two mobile phones and N85,900.
The military said the arrests were part of efforts to disrupt criminal activities capable of undermining security and creating an enabling environment for terrorism and other violent crimes.
It added that the suspects and exhibits had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Goni further disclosed that 11 terrorists surrendered during the period under review, while troops recovered a vehicle, ammunition and other logistics items in separate operations.
He said the latest successes reflected the impact of sustained military pressure on terrorist elements and their support networks across the North-East.
Operation HADIN KAI, he added, would sustain its operations to disrupt terrorist and criminal networks and deny them freedom of action across the region.
