Army overruns Boko Haram/ISWAP stronghold in Timbuktu

Troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, overran the stronghold of Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the Timbuktu triangle within the Lake Chad Region.

This was made known in a statement issued by the force Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, via the Force X handle on Friday, March 1.

According to the Army, the forces seized a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, a gun truck equipped with an anti-aircraft gun, and a stockpile of arms and ammunition, after a fierce battle with the insurgents.

Part of the statement reads: “Nigerian Army Troops in conjunction with hybrid force and element of Civilian Joint Task Force in an offensive operation conducted on Wednesday 28 February 2024, successfully overran Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Terrorists’ stronghold in Timbuktu triangle in the Lake Chad Region, recovering a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, gun truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun and a cache of arms and ammunition, after a fierce battle with the insurgents.

“During the operation, insurgents attacked own troops with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), Mortar, Gun trucks and motorbikes, but fell under the overwhelming superior fire power of the troops, forcing them to abandon their stronghold, armaments and equipment in disarray.”