A large cache of arms and ammunition from the Islamic State of the West African Province(ISWAP) insurgents in Sambisa Forest, in Borno State, has been recovered by troops of the 21 Armored Brigade Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai of the Nigerian Army.
Nigeriacrime.com gathered that, the troops discovered the massive armoury with arms and ammunition when they invaded Ukuba camp in the fringes of Bama Local Government area of Borno state, as part of ongoing counter terrorists Operation Desert Sanity II on May 13, 2023.
It will be recalled that this is coming nearly two weeks after the troops raided the same camp and recovered six anti-aircraft guns, four Ak 47 rifles, several quantities of IEDs making materials, a cache of magazines, and a Hilux vehicle mounted with an Anti Aircraft Gun.
Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region said that large quantities of weapons were discovered in hidden dug pits concealed by the terrorist group.
According to him, several variants of Rocket Propelled Grenade Tubes, SMG Rifle, Double Barrel guns, 50 hand grenades bombs, and 5 SMK bombs among others were recovered.
Others included; 183 Shilka rounds, several IEDs making materials, Non-electric detonators, many already prepared IEDs, as well as several canister bombs.
He also said that as the troops were withdrawing from the general area, one terrorist was seen and neutralised, while one Ak47 rifle and other items were recovered from him.
The troops successfully evacuated the arms and ammunition from the scene after clearing the general area, noting that the troop’s morale and fighting spirit have been further boosted by the outcome of the operations so far.
The troops Operation DESERT – LAKE – MOUNTAIN II which commenced on 27 Apr 23, in the axis of the Sambisa-Timbuktu Triangle and the shores of Lake Chad are making steady inroads as ground and backed by air support continue to sustain pressures on the terrorists, killing scores of them while many others were forced to flee.
Some of the terrorist hideouts that were cleared recently included Alagarno, Alafa, Alafa D, Garin Doctor, Njumia, Izzah, Farisu, Somalia, Ukuba, Garin Glucose, Garin Ba’aba and Bula Abu Amir.