Troops of the 146 Battalion, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralised nine Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists with the arrest of a logistic supplier in Kareto-Wulgo axis of Borno State.

The Guardian learnt that the troops, who were on patrol, ambushed the terrorists and killed them after a fierce gun battle, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

A military source in Maiduguri, who confirmed the neutralisation, said there were several signs of evacuated bodies with traces of blood while some of them were left behind.

The troops also recovered five AK-47 rifles and ammunition while there were no casualties on the part of the ground troops. Similarly, troops of Sector 3, Muti-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), have arrested a suspected terrorists’ logistic supplier, Alhaji Barmu Garba, in the Lake Chad region.

It was gathered that the suspect was arrested by the intelligence operatives in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) during a routine security search on vehicles and passengers travelling to Cross Kauwa and Baga.

Makama said Garba was arrested with large sums of money and drugs, suspected to be delivered to the ISWAP enclave in Wulgo of Ngala Local Council of Borno State.

Makama said that all the recovered items were “tucked and concealed” inside an empty four-litre gallon. Meanwhile, the suspect has been taken into military custody for profiling and investigation.

ALSO, terrorists, yesterday, attacked Muslim worshippers in a mosque at Sabon Layi, Kakangi Ward in Birnin-Gwari Local Council of Kaduna State, killing two and inflicting injuries on others.

The Imam of the mosque, Malam Mamuda and one Kabiru were killed, while Bilya Mairabo and Ashiru Mairabo were seriously wounded and currently receiving medical attention at Jibrin Maigwari General Hospital, Birnin-Gwari. In a statement, Chairman of the Birnin Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance, Ibrahim Abubakar Nagwari, condemned the attack. Meanwhile, an attempt to get the reaction of the spokesman of the Police Command, Mansur Hassan, was futile as he could not be reached.