• Gunmen kill policeman, community watch corps member in Katsina
• Army repels ISWAP attack on communities, recovers APC in Yobe

Troops of Division 1 of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna and the Operation Whirl Punch have killed three terrorists at different operations.

Specifically, the troops were on a clearance operation around the general area of Maro–Chibiya Forest in Kajuru Local Council of Kaduna State, at the weekend, when they encountered the terrorists.

A statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 1 Division, Lt.-Col. Musa Yahaya, said during the operation, troops engaged the terrorists with a heavy volume of fire and neutralised one of them, forcing others to flee in disarray with gunshot wounds into the surrounding forest.

“Troops captured one AK-47 rifle, one locally-fabricated AK- 47 rifle, quantity four of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, and one mobile phone.”
“General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch, Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, has applauded the troops for their gallantry and charged them to sustain the tempo until all bandits, terrorists, and criminal elements are annihilated,” the statement said.

In another development, a policeman, and a member of Katsina State Community Watch Corps, Mujittapha Salisu, have reportedly been killed by marauding terrorists at Zakka Village in Safana Local Council.

The Guardian, however, learnt that the policeman and Salisu lost their lives when the terrorists attacked the community on Sunday morning.

A source identified the deceased police officer as ACP Abashe Matazu.
Salisu would be the first casualty to lose his life to terrorists after the security outfit was established by the state.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, was yet to respond to inquiry regarding the incident.

However, the police command in the state has rescued three kidnapped persons after it foiled an abduction attempt by terrorists.

A statement by Aliyu said the incident occurred at the weekend at Gogalo Village in Jibia Local Council.

Similarly, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, Sector 2, and Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have repelled an Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) attack on the outskirts of Buni/Yadi in Gujba Local Council of Yobe State.

According to military sources in Damaturu, the attack was a reprisal to the killing of five terrorists in Malumti village near Buni Gari.

A counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, who disclosed this, yesterday, in Maiduguri , said the troops also recovered several equipment, including a conqueror Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

Intelligence sources also told Makama that the troops successfully repelled the attack after a heavy gun battle, forcing the terrorists to withdraw into Sambisa Forest.

He said no casualties were recorded by the troops at the location.