Maiduguri Blast: Military Says No Cause for Alarm; Scores of ISWAP Terrorists killed in Kala Balge

Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation HADIN KAI(OPHK) have responded effectively to the security breach by suspected Boko Haram (BH) and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists who made futile attempt to maintain potency early this morning, 4 December 2021, with explosions in the outskirt of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

A statement released to the media on Saturday by Army Spokesman, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, says the sound of explosions at Gomari community and 1000 Housing Estate in Maiduguri was heard in the early hours of today with shots fired into these communities by BH/ISWAP criminals. This unfortunate incident has caused some level of damage and apprehension in residential areas. Although, no life was lost, sadly a minor sustained injury.

The statement added that ground troops in conjunction with the Air Component of OPHK responded swiftly and dominated the area with ground and air interdictions that successfully neutralized the threats and infiltration attempt by the terrorists.

He urged the general public not to panic as troops are on ground and aggressively dominating the city to effectively take out any perceived threat. The good people of Maiduguri are equally enjoined to go about their normal socio economic activities and provide actionable information on the movement of these criminal elements.

Meanwhile, troops of Sector 1 Joint Task Force(JTF) North East(NE), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralized scores of Boko Haram (BH) and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists who infiltrated Kala Balge town mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles on Friday, 3 December 2021.

Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this in a statement late of Saturday. According to him, the insurgents attacked troops deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) Rann, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon. Troops gallantly engaged the maurading terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and withdrew in disarray.

The statement added that in the fierce battle for Kala Balge, troops defended the town and neutralized 26 BH/ISWAP terrorists. The gallant troops also captured terrorists’ combat vehicles, 18 AK 47 rifles and one M-21 rifle with large quantity of ammunition. Several other equipment were also destroyed by troops.

Regrettably, two officers and five soldiers paid the supreme price, while three personnel who sustained gun shot wounds are currently receiving medical attention.

Nwachukwu said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has paid tribute to the departed heroes, who paid the supreme price in defending their fatherland and has also commended troops for their gallantry in the North East, especially with the recent successes recorded in Gajiram and the Tumbus.