• As troops arrest 15 Malian criminal suspects

About 100 Boko Haram terrorists have been killed in coordinated military airstrikes in Mandara Mountain, Borno State.

This followed a one-week aerial bombardment carried out on the fringes of Gwoza Local Council, a border community with Cameroun.

A counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed, yesterday, in Maiduguri that the airstrikes were carried out between June 9 and 11, 2023 in Hrazah and Wa-Duhwedeh communities.

A military source in Maiduguri also confirmed that the two communities were meeting points of the terrorists, from where they launch attacks on Gwoza and other border communities.

The source added that the strikes resulted in elimination of a number of Boko Haram unit commanders.

Makama said high-valued terrorists were killed, while others fled with wounds sustained during the bombings.

He said on June 11, 2023, the military’s air component carried out airstrikes, which were confirmed to be successful, as many terrorists were neutralised.

The air component also destroyed many structures, which served as safe haven for the terrorists.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested a 15-member Malian criminal gang in Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State.

The arrest followed investigation into reports of the gang’s activities in Gwange, Umarari and Jajeri communities of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).

Makama disclosed, yesterday, in Maiduguri that the suspects had been attacking people, snatching mobile phones and other valuables.

According to him, activities of the gang also led to loss of lives, while some innocent citizens sustained injuries.

Disturbed by the spate of the gang’s activities, residents had demanded aggressive action by troops.

“The troops conducted a sting operation in the identified areas, where the Malian gang perpetrates its activities,” said Makama, adding that during the operation, 15 suspects were nabbed at midnight of June 9, 2023. Also, the troops recovered a pump action gun, an axe, knife and five handsets of phones.

The suspects have been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further action. (The Guardian)

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