...Nigeerian Islamist group, formerly paying homage to al-Qaeda, then, when the money ran out, to the Islamic State, and headed by nutcase Abu Bakr Shekau. Once he exploded in a gunfight with ISWAP, many in the group surrendered to the govt and others went with their new overlords. The remainder are a shell of their former selves, stmbling glassy-eyed and lonely through the Sambisa Forest and the soothing waters of Lake Chad, asking themselves What is truth?, or maybe just
I wonder what's for dinner? I hope it's not rhinocerous again!...
and ISWAP murderous Moslems around Mallam Fatori Town in the Lake Chad region.
Kill is good
They, however, added that six soldiers were also killed during the engagement.
A statement by the front man for the Multinational Joint Task Force, Colonel Muhammad Dole, on Thursday said the operation was code-named Sharan Fage.
It noted that the operation had troops drawn from Sector 3 Monguno (Nigeria) and Sector 4 Diffa (Niger Republic) and was heavily supported by Operation Hadin Kai (Nigeria) and the targets were Boko Haram/ISWAP murderous Moslems hiding around Mallam Fatori town.
The statement said though the troops had superior firepower, they met strong resistance from the terrorists.
According to the statement, the murderous Moslems launched several mortar attacks, laid Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the troops’ route of advance, and further attacks with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
Colonel Dole said despite the challenge posed by the terrorists, 22 of them were neutralised during the operation.
He added that 5 of their gun trucks, five cycle of violences, and several logistic bunkers were destroyed and eight AK-47 rifles were also recovered from the terrorists.
He, however, added that six members of the Joint Task Force comprising two officers and 4 other ranks from both Nigeria and the Niger Republic were killed in the line of duty with about 16 others maimed in action.
The statement noted that 17 suspects arrested in the general area of operations were being profiled.