On Thursday, July 20, 2023, a clash occurred between fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and troops of the Nigerian Army in Borno State. The confrontation took place in the Monguno Local Government Area and involved the troops of Sector 3 multi-national joint task force (MNJTF).
According to Zagazola Makama, a renowned counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, the ISWAP terrorists invaded the area using several Hilux trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns. Some of the terrorists rode on motorcycles, while others attacked the troops on foot at Charlie 6 in Monguno town. However, the army troops confronted the terrorists, forcing them to retreat and flee the location.
In a separate incident, over 100 troops conducted a raid on bandits’ hideouts in Iche, Taka-Lafiya, Gidan Makeri, and Janjala communities in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The bandits had previously fled the far north and were attempting to set up camp around some villages in Kagarko. However, upon the arrival of the troops, the bandits fled into the forest, evading capture.
Nigerian Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the developments, stating that the troops indeed conducted operations in Kagarko on Wednesday. However, he clarified that no informant had been arrested during the operation.
These recent incidents highlight the continued efforts of the Nigerian Army in intensifying the fight against terrorists and bandits in different parts of the country, with a particular focus on the Northern region of Nigeria. The military remains committed to addressing the security challenges and maintaining peace and stability in the affected areas.
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