By Olayemi Esan
No fewer than 20 Boko Haram Insurgents have been neutralized by the Multinational Joint Task Force MNJTF, 5 gun trucks, 5 motorcycles and several logistic bunkers destroyed during a recently concluded Operation Sharan Fage.
The Operation was conducted to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons IDPs and refugees to towns and communities in the fringes of the Lake Chad.
In a statement by the Chief of Military Public Information MNJTF headquarters, Colonel Muhammad Dole says Operation Sharan Fage was jointly carried out by troops of Sector 3 Monguno in Nigeria, Sector 4 Diffa Niger Republic and the air component of Operation Hadin Kai.
The statement explained that the exercise also created a favourable atmosphere under which the festivities marking the 63rd Anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Niger was peacefully conducted on 18 December in Diffa,.
According to Colonel Dole, troops met strong resistance from the terrorists, however, the superior fire power by troops forced them to abandon their enclaves in and around Arege Gashigar, Asaga, Krinoa, Bana and Kamagunma in the Lake Chad general area.
Regrettably, the statement says six members of the JTF from both countries paid the supreme sacrifice, sixteen sustained injuries while seventeen insurgents were arrested and are being profiled.
Meanwhile, the Force Commander, MNJTF, Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim has commended the troops for their uncommon display of gallantry, professionalism and courage and promised to mobilise more equipment and other operational enablers to the Sectors.
