Colonel Muhammad Dole, a spokesman for the Multinational Joint Task Force, said the operation was code-named Sharan Fage in a statement on Thursday.
The operation was supported by Operation Hadin Kai (Nigeria) and had troops drawn from Sector 3 Monguno (Nigeria) and Sector 4 Diffa (Niger Republic), with the targets being Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists hiding around Mallam Fatori town.
Read Also: ISWAP commander, Abou Maryam, other fighters killed in military airstrikes
Despite having superior firepower, the troops faced stiff resistance from the terrorists, according to the statement.
The terrorists, according to the statement, launched several mortar attacks, planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the troops’ advance route, and launched additional attacks with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
Colonel Dole stated that despite the terrorists’ challenge, 22 of them were neutralized during the operation.
He went on to say that five of their gun trucks, five motorcycles, and several logistic bunkers had been destroyed, and that the terrorists had recovered eight AK-47 rifles.
He did add, however, that six members of the Joint Task Force, consisting of two officers and four other ranks from both Nigeria and the Niger Republic, were killed in the line of duty, with another 16 being wounded.
Read Also: Soldiers Injured In Kala-Balge Battle With ISWAP Receive N5 Million From Zulum
According to the statement, 17 suspects were apprehended in the general area of operations and were being profiled.
