ISWAP evacuates dead fighters as troops recover weapons, discover shallow grave in Banki
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered weapons and discovered shallow grave and bloodstains following an attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents on Banki in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, security sources said Friday.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that during the early hours of Friday, ISWAP fighters advanced in large numbers in a bid to overrun military positions at Banki. Troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, immediately engaged the insurgents in fierce gun battles, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
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“The troops recovered abandoned weapons and discovered shallow graves and bloodstains at the Banki location,” a security source said. “It appears that some of the insurgents who were killed in the encounter were evacuated by their comrades during the retreat.”
Sources said the discovery indicates that ISWAP sustained casualties during the assault, though exact numbers are yet to be confirmed. Clearance operations and assessments are ongoing to secure the area and prevent a return by fleeing insurgents.
Banki, a key frontline town near the Cameroon border, remains under firm control of troops, who continue to dominate the operational environment and maintain vigilance against further terrorist attempts.