December 31, 2021
A gun battle between Nigerian Multinational Joint Task Force and Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists within the vicinity of Mallam Fatori Town on the fringes of the Lake Chad region has left six soldiers dead with 22 terrorists killed.
A statement by the Spokesman of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Colonel Muhammad Dole, said that the operation, code-named SHARAN FAGE had troops drawn from Sector 3 Monguno (Nigeria) and Sector 4 Diffa (Niger Republic) with backing from Operation HADIN KAI (Nigeria) who targeted Boko Haram/ISWAP criminal terrorists hiding in the vicinity of Mallam Fatori town.
The statement said the troops met strong resistance from the terrorists, who launched several mortar attacks, laid Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the troops’ route of advance, and further attacks with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
The insurgents however beat a retreat when they noticed the superior fire power of the troops.
During the exchange of fire, Colonel Dole said that 22 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized during the operation, while 5 of their gun trucks, five motorcycles, and several logistic bunkers were destroyed and eight AK47 Rifles were also recovered from the terrorists.
Dole also confirmed that six members of the Joint Task Force including two officers and 4 other ranks from both Nigeria and the Niger Republic paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty with about 16 others wounded in action.
He said that 17 suspects were arrested in the general area of operations and are being profiled.
