Soldiers repel terrorist attack in Yobe, kill 24 insurgents

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have repelled a terrorist attack on Kukareta in Yobe state, killing 24 insurgents.

The operation, conducted by troops under Sector 2 in the early hours of April 23, lasted about three hours after the attack began shortly after midnight.

Lt Col Sani Uba, media information officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed this in a statement.

He said the troops mounted a swift and coordinated response, executing what he described as a deliberate offensive-defensive action that forced the attackers into a disorderly retreat.

“During the engagement, troops inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers, with 24 terrorists neutralised so far,” he said.

Uba said troops recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the scene, including 18 AK-47 rifles, three general purpose machine guns, two PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, three RPG tubes, two mortar tubes and four hand grenades.

He said other items recovered include 18 AK-47 magazines and large quantities of belted 7.62mm ammunition for PKT systems.

Uba said two soldiers were wounded in action and have been stabilised, adding that a reinforcing armoured tank was damaged during the engagement after all its tyres were blown out.

He said exploitation operations are ongoing to recover additional bodies and equipment along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes.

“Exploitation operations are ongoing to recover additional bodies and equipment along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes littered with blood trails and medical consumables,” he said.

Uba said the operation underscores the resilience, combat readiness and firepower of troops in denying terrorists freedom of action.

He said operations would continue with sustained offensive pressure to consolidate gains and defeat insurgents across the joint operations area.