Esther Oseyiomon
Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA have killed three terrorists during an operation in Kadam Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The operation involved troops of the COAS Special Intervention Battalion 7 working alongside the 8 Division Strike Team.
Military sources said the operation was launched following credible intelligence that more than 100 terrorists had gathered in the forest to coordinate attacks and transport kidnapped victims to their strongholds.
Troops swiftly moved into the area and made contact with the terrorists at about 12 noon, triggering a fierce firefight.
During the encounter, the terrorists attempted a rear-flanking manoeuvre, but the troops responded with superior firepower and maintained control of the battlefield.
Subsequent exploitation of the area confirmed that three terrorists were neutralised, while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
Weapons recovered from the scene included a PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles, 350 rounds of PKT ammunition, 111 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition, three magazines, two radios, three motorcycles and a mobile phone.
Security sources said follow-up operations and aggressive patrols are ongoing in the area to track fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping.