Troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have eliminated scores of Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Arege in Borno State.
POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the terrorists attacked the town on Monday night through multiple flanks, with an unconfirmed number of ISWAP foot soldiers on gun trucks. They were however subdued by the troops.
Many others terrorists reportedly escaped with bullet wounds. There was no casualty on the military side during the operation.
Items recovered from the terrorists included one Hilux vehicle, an anti-aircraft gun, and many rounds of ammunitions as well as three AK47 magazines.
In recent weeks, the Nigerian military particularly has carried out successful ground and air assaults against ISWAP and rival Boko Haram fighters, killing several high-profile Jihadist commanders.
ISWAP split from mainstream Boko Haram in 2016 and rose to become a dominant group in the region.
The two groups have increasingly been targeting civilians, particularly loggers, farmers, and herders, accusing them of spying on them.
The jihadist violence has killed over 40,000 people and displaced around two million from their homes in the northeast since 2009, according to the United Nations (UN).
