BORNO STATE, NIGERIA — Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have uncovered a mass grave containing about 20 terrorists killed during military operations in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State.
The discovery comes after intense and sustained clearance operations by troops in the terror-infested axis. Lt-Col Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of OPHK, described the grave as evidence of the heavy casualties terrorists are sustaining amid ongoing offensives.
“In a further indication of the heavy losses suffered by the terrorists, troops discovered mass graves containing an estimated 20 terrorist bodies killed during encounters with troops in the Timbuktu Triangle and buried by their cohorts,” Uba said.
The statement highlighted that the find undermines terrorist propaganda and exposes the true scale of insurgent losses. Troops have successfully cleared and secured key areas, including Tergejeri, Chiralia, and the Ajigin/Abirma general areas.
During the operations, troops engaged fleeing terrorist elements with heavy firepower, neutralising several insurgents. On Tuesday, while consolidating positions six kilometres north of Chilaria, troops encountered two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
“Through vigilance and swift action, one VBIED was successfully neutralised. The second VBIED, however, breached the defensive position, affecting some logistics platforms. Some gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price, while others sustained injuries,” Uba said.
Injured personnel were evacuated by Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital, with support from Nigerian Air Force platforms providing aerial overwatch to secure the operation and protect ground troops.
“Throughout the evacuation, Nigerian Air Force platforms, in synergy with Army air assets, ensured the safe extraction of casualties and allowed troops to neutralise more terrorists in the process,” Uba added.
The operation demonstrates the continued dominance of military forces over insurgent strongholds in the Timbuktu Triangle and the ongoing commitment to securing Borno State.
