Troops kill 4 ISWAP terrorists, free 2 kidnap victims

Troops of Operation Desert Sanity IV and Lake Sanity III have killed four members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and rescued two kidnapped victims during a clearance mission around the Gajiram area of Borno State.

Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, reported that the confrontation happened around 2:35 p.m. on Thursday along the Gajiram–Bolori–Mile 40–Gajiganna road.

According to sources, the troops — made up of 16 soldiers and eight members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) riding on ten motorcycles — came under heavy fire from terrorists at Zundur. The soldiers engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

The source said four of the terrorists were neutralised during the exchange, while others escaped into the surrounding bushes with gunshot wounds.

“During the operation, the troops rescued two kidnapped victims identified as Mr. Modu Kinnami, 55, and Mr. Bukar, 57, both residents of Guzamala Local Government Area.

“The rescued victims revealed during preliminary investigation that the terrorists had demanded a ransom of ₦2 million and two new Tecno button phones for the release of their brother,” the source said.

Recovered items from the scene included a blue pickup truck with registration number GUB 327 XA, two new Tecno button phones, a jerrycan containing 30 litres of petrol, and ₦4,355,000 in cash.

The source added that while the general security atmosphere in the area remains calm, it is still unpredictable. Troops’ morale and combat readiness, however, were described as satisfactory.