Army claims to have killed 167 terrorists and freed 350 hostages over the last few days

MILITARY commanders claim that soldiers of the Nigerian Army have killed 167 Boko Haram insurgents and freed 350 insurgents in two separate operations that took place in Borno State over the last few days.

 

Over the last week, there has been intense fighting between the Nigerian Army and the terrorists, with troops successfully raiding 17 villages where the terrorists had their camps. According to military sources, five insurgents were killed during one raid, while Nigerian troops and Cameroonian soldiers killed 162 more, bringing the total number of Islamist militants killed to 167.

 

Nigeria Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman, said: “In their efforts, troops of the Seventh Division, 112 Battalion, Army Headquarters Support Group and elements of Armed Forces Special Forces conducted a joint fighting patrol at suspected Boko Haram terrorists enclaves in Gajibo, Maula, Gamai, Gamare, Maiwa, Warsale, Tangli, Tushi, Sowa, Hasanari, Changuwa, Malamaja and Marya towns in Mafa and Dikwa Local Governments Areas. In the encounter, five Boko Haram terrorists were killed, an AK-47 rifle, 10 motorcycles and one logistic truck belonging to the terrorists were recovered.

 

"Troops also rescued 350 people held hostage by the terrorists and among those rescued were five girls abducted from Cameroon. Yesterday, one of the patrol teams of 254 Task Force Battalion carried out a clearance operation at Kubwa village, Borno State, in which they arrested two suspected Boko Haram terrorists hiding among the community."

 

He added that another patrol team of the same unit carried out a clearance operation in Yakshari village, off Wajiroko along Ajigin-Talala road and proceeded to Korode. According to Col Usman, it was here also that some suspected Boko Haram elements, on sighting the troops, ran and abandoned six motorcycles and beans looted from local inhabitants of the area.

 

Later, the same team also recovered 21 motorcycles and Boko Haram's flag at Korode abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. Troops also discovered another an Improvised Explosive Device at Mauvi village which was safely detonated.

 

In order to boost troop morale, the general officer commanding the Seventh Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army Brigadier Victor Ezugwu, visited the 26 Task Force Brigade and commended troops of the 121 Task Force Battalion for the successful joint clearance operations at Kirawa and Ngoshe, with assistance from Cameroonian forces. Cameroon's communication minister Issa Bakary, said the joint forces have taken the key Boko Haram base of Goshe, near the border.