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By Stella Odueme
The Nigerian Navy has announced the neutralisation of 34 Boko Haram terrorists in separate offensive operations conducted in the Lake Chad area in collaboration with the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI.
The operations, carried out by Nigerian Navy Marines attached to Naval Base Lake Chad alongside troops of the 403 Amphibious Brigade of the Nigerian Army, were aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and disrupting their activities in the region.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said its Marines conducted an offensive operation against terrorist elements on October 28, initially reporting eight terrorists killed.
However, a subsequent Battle Damage Assessment revised the casualty figure to 28 terrorists killed in action.
The Navy disclosed that another operation was conducted on October 30 against an identified Boko Haram enclave in Dumba following Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions.
It said preliminary assessments indicated that approximately six terrorists were neutralised during the strike, while several others sustained injuries.
The Navy noted that casualty figures from the October 30 operation remained subject to further verification as operational assessments continued.
According to the statement, the recently established Nigerian Navy Marines have strengthened joint military operations under Operation HADIN KAI by improving offensive capabilities against terrorist enclaves and restricting their freedom of movement within the Lake Chad area.
It added that the operations were part of ongoing efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities and restore peace and stability in the North-East.