ISWAP commander captured, fighters killed in attempt to free terrorists from Army base

Some members of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) died on Sunday in Niger State.

They were obliterated while attempting to free their leaders incarcerated in a Nigerian Army base.

A defence intelligence officer told PRNigeria that the military had expected the terrorists who met an ambush.

“Though the incident happened in the night, the troops had been anticipating such daring moves and had been on high alert.

“They came into our trap. While at least seven bodies were counted, troops arrested one of the commanders who led the fighters”, the source said.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 401 Air Combat Training Group (ACTG) supported troops from Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area.

In Borgu LGA is a NAF facility which houses Alpha jets and the A-29 Super Tucanos purchased from America.

Wawa Cantonment, home to 221 Light Tank Battalion, is located in New Bussa, near the border with Benin Republic.

The Army base accomodates hundreds of terrorism suspects undergoing trial.

In 2017, the Federal Government announced that around 2,500 suspects were being held at the formation.

In 2018, a special Federal High Court established to try terrorism related cases sentenced 113 Boko Haram members to prison.

The latest attempt to free those in government custody occurred months after the attack on the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje, Abuja.

With a video, ISWAP claimed responsibility for the breach which allowed scores of convicted insurgents to escape.

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