In a fierce offensive near the Nigeria–Cameroon border, troops of Operation Hadin Kai and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have killed 10 Boko Haram terrorists during a high-intensity gun battle along the Rann–Gamboru Ngala axis.
The clash, which occurred as part of a coordinated counterinsurgency sweep, is the latest in ongoing operations to flush out Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters from the volatile Lake Chad Basin.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, confirmed the development on Tuesday. “The encounter happened during a combined operation strategically designed to dismantle remaining terrorist cells operating in border communities,” Kangye said.
Acting on actionable intelligence, the joint forces stormed a Boko Haram hideout between Rann and Gamboru. The operation triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire, ultimately resulting in the deaths of 10 insurgents overwhelmed by the superior firepower of Nigerian and MNJTF forces.
A substantial cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered at the scene, including anti-aircraft rounds. Military sources say the recovered arms are undergoing technical analysis, while troops have launched follow-up search operations to locate escapees and additional terrorist camps.
“This is part of our strategy to dominate the southern Lake Chad axis and prevent cross-border terrorist movements,” Kangye said.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with regional and international partners, will not relent until every Boko Haram and ISWAP stronghold is dismantled.
Security analysts believe the success of the operation sends a strong message to insurgent groups that their shrinking sanctuary in the Lake Chad region is no longer safe.
