By Joy Onu
The Nigerian Navy Marines, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army’s 403 Amphibious Brigade, have killed 34 Boko Haram terrorists in two separate offensive operations in the Lake Chad area.
The operations, conducted on October 28 and 30 under Operation HADIN KAI, targeted terrorist positions and disrupted the activities of insurgents in the area.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the first offensive operation was conducted on October 28, with initial reports indicating that eight terrorists were killed.
However, a subsequent Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) revised the casualty figure to 28 terrorists killed in action.
Folorunsho said the Navy Marines carried out another offensive strike on October 30 against an identified Boko Haram enclave at Dumba.
He said the operation was preceded by intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions that enabled troops to identify and monitor the terrorists before launching a precision strike.
Preliminary assessments indicated that six terrorists were killed in the Dumba operation, while several others sustained injuries. Folorunsho said the casualty figures were still being verified as operational assessments continued.
He said the recently established Nigerian Navy Marines had strengthened joint military operations in the Lake Chad area since their deployment, serving as a force multiplier under Operation HADIN KAI.
According to him, their involvement had enhanced the military’s ability to target terrorist enclaves, disrupt hostile activities and deny Boko Haram fighters freedom of movement within the area.
He added that the operations were contributing to the degradation of terrorist capabilities and supporting ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the North-East.
The Nigerian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations and intelligence-driven engagements in support of joint military efforts to strengthen national security and protect vulnerable communities.
