What You Need to Know:
Four terrorists were shot dead during a counter-insurgency operation by elements of the Nigerian Armed Forces on March 4th in the Kurfi and Safana regions of Katsina State. One of those killed was the Second-in-Command of the largest terrorist cell operating in the state, known as Maikusa.
Nigerian troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 65 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition, a locally fabricated gun, and camouflage uniform.
The Details:
A statement by Onyema Nwachukwu, Nigeria’s Director of Army Public relations claimed, “During the operation, troops encountered vehement resistance from the violent extremists, but gallantly overpowered the terrorists with superior firepower neutralizing some while others fled in disarray. In continuation of the clearance operations, troops also destroyed terrorists’ camps in Wurma, Shaiskawa, Yauni, and Dogon Marke villages in Kurfi LGA, as well as Ummadau and Zakka villages in Safana LGA.”
Since 2014, Katsina State has been particularly affected by terrorism, referred to locally as banditry, due to increased resource competition between farmers and herders, with the flow of illegal arms in the country further exacerbating the issue.