The Multinational Joint Task Force Headquarters in N’djamena has intensified Military Operations in recent times, according to the Deputy Chief of Military Information in a statement released to journalists. He said the Sectors had made significant progress after keeping up pressure on the terrorists through arduous aerial and ground surveillance of supply routes and mobility corridors.
He explained that on January 30, 2023, Sector 1 MNJTF (Cameroon) soldiers were conducting a clearance operation in the community of Touski along the Limani- Bonderi ridge when they came across and engaged terrorists from the Islamic State of West African Province (BH/ISWAP). One terrorist was killed during the confrontation, and an unknown number of others escaped with gunshot wounds. One rifle was recovered.
In a related event, on January 31, 2023, soldiers from the same sector detained the logistics provider for the terrorist group Boko Haram/Islamic of West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) in Kangarwa. He is being questioned at the nearby Gendermerie prison. Additionally, on February 22, 2023, Sector 1 (Cameroon) troops carried out an ambush action at Guedere Village against terrorist fighters. During the mission, the troops destroyed two of the terrorists’ logistics providers.
To stop militants from the Lake Chad Islands and settlement from infiltrating their AOR, Sector 2 MNJTF(Chad) has maintained control over the area. The soldiers stationed at Kangalam, Kaiga Ngoubaou, and Bargalam have continued to deter the terrorists with their vigilant patrolling. On February 8, 2023, while conducting a patrol at Bargalam, troops from the sector freed five kidnapped children who had fled from terrorist captivity on an island in Lake Chad.
On February 4 in Sector 3 MNJTF (Nigeria), soldiers from the Sector stationed at Magumeri came into touch with Boko Haram terrorists while on a fighting patrol in the village of Matta Koriri. With their superior firepower, the troops attacked the terrorists, forcing them to flee in disarray. Two terrorists were neutralized during the encounter, and it’s unknown how many others managed to flee with gunshot wounds. In addition, 30 rounds of special 7.62mm ammo, 3 AK 47 magazines, a bandolier, and a motorcycle were found.
In addition, a raid squad from the Sector detained Mallam Adam, a suspected terrorist logistics trader, on February 7 in Kukawa village. Following his capture, 3 additional suspected suppliers were apprehended in possession of 2 jerry cans of groundnut oil, 2 sacks of soft drinks, cartons of biscuits, 1 bag of gari, 1 bag of rice, 1 bag of maize flour, 1 bag of local tea, and other miscellaneous ingredients. Similar to this, on February 9, 2023, patrolling soldiers from the sector detained Bana Mustapha, a suspected BHT logistics supplier, in Monguno. From Jimery village, the suspect provides fuel to the militants.
Additionally, a patrol squad from Mallam Fatori came into contact with several terrorists who were robbing villages close to Mallam Fatori on February 20, 2023. The military discovered 7 AK-47 rifles, 1 RPG, 1 GPMGf, 4 bombs of various calibres, and 12 rifle magazines while the terrorists escaped. Similar to this, on February 22, 2023, soldiers from the Sector stationed in Walada detained a man named Shaibu Umoru who was thought to be a terrorist infiltrator. In a similar spirit, on February 24, 2023, troops at Charamari detained 5 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers who were pushing a cart full of fish toward Monguno for sale along the Dumba Garin to Dole road near Kwatan Mashayi.
On February 1, 2023, soldiers from Sector 4 of the MNJTF (Niger) launched a combat patrol to the Boko Haram strongholds at Afofo. While the troop was destroying the terrorists’ camp, the terrorists escaped. The same day, soldiers patrolling at Kajijiwa detained three BHT associates who were carrying bags of food that were intended to be transported to BHT sites.
Four BHT logistic suppliers were detained by sector soldiers on February 6, 2023, in NguiGmi. The accused were traveling on two donkeys and two carts. Two bags of sugar, five bags of rice, one bag containing pharmaceuticals, two cartons of cookies, packages of cube Maggi, bags of dates, and fifteen rolls of Maggi are among the items that were found. Similar to this, on February 23, MNJTF soldiers in Chetimari detained two suspected terrorist logisticians who were in possession of 200,000 FCFA that was intended to be delivered to a partner in the community.
The Sector’s soldiers interfered during a fight between farmers and herders in the Abdouri Kasoulouwa neighborhood that same day. The soldiers recovered one abandoned AK-47 rifle and its 6-round magazine after effectively calming the situation. Similar to this, Sector 4 soldiers found 20 bags of rice the same day that they had been concealed beneath palm trees close to Lada village.
Additionally, Sector 4 military personnel detained a suspected bomber with Chadian ancestry on February 25, 2023. The suspect had 54 7.62mm rounds of ammunition, 7500 FCFA, and food items in his hands. In a related event, Sector 4 troops detained 129 terrorist families in Gueskerou on February 26, 2023.
The group comprises of 49 women and 10 men of Nigerian nationality, along with 67 children and 3 elderly individuals. The terrorist families that were detained were en route from Niger’s Lake Chad Isles to Sambisa Forest to join the Bakoura terrorist group.
