ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Nigerian military in collaboration with their Camerounian counterparts, has routed Boko Haram terrorists in a joint operation in some of boundary towns, killing 23 of them in the process.
The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, also said that about 150 hostages were freed from the terrorists.
“In line with the Chief of Army Staff’s directive for troops to maintain the momentum, today, troops of 7 Division have carried out major operations against the Boko Haram terrorists locations in Talala and Kumshe axis,” Usman said.
He stated that “the joint operation which was carried out with Cameroonian forces was quite successful as a number of the terrorists were killed, some of their weapons and equipment either destroyed or captured.
“The joint operation between elements of 7 Division and the Cameroonian forces along Banki-Kumshe axis, led to the killing of 20 Boko Haram terrorists, destruction of 4 AK 47 rifles and capture of a gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun (AA Gun) and 2 AK 47 rifles, as well as a 60mm mortar and a Dane gun”.
Unfortunately, he noted, three soldiers sustained injuries and a vehicle damaged as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
“Troops also encountered about 10 other IEDs along the route of advance which were cleared. Most of the terrorists ran in disarray towards Fatake where troops on blocking position cleared them,” he added.
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He stated further: “Along the Talala axis despite an IED in which a soldier was wounded and a damaged vehicle, the operation is progressing very well. More so as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been assisting with interdiction and surveillance.
“Troops at Kodo rescued 150 persons who were mainly children. In addition, a house with Boko Haram terrorists’ flag at Fatake caught fire with several ammunitions explosions in which three Boko Haram terrorists were killed in the house.”
The Army spokesman emphasised that 5 Brigade and 7 Multinational Joint Task Force were doing very well in their respective area of operations. This, he said, was made possible by the steady supply of needed logistics into the various formations and units fighting the Boko Haram terrorists.
Usman also revealed that the “Army launched new mine clearing equipment, weapons and their ammunitions”.
“It is noteworthy, apart from being the first mine clearing machines in the inventory of the Nigerian Army, it is one of the best in the world,” he remarked.
In a related development, Usman said, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has once again personally commended the troops for their impressive performance thus far.
Buratai made the commendation shortly after a briefing by the Deputy Theatre Commander and also the Land Component Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. LEO Irabor and the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brig-Gen. VO Ezugwu at the Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maiduguri.
The COAS was in Maiduguri on official visit to formations and units in the North East. He was accompanied by the Chief of Training and Operations, Major General YM Abubakar and other senior officers from the Army Headquarters.
“It is pertinent to state that in all the formations and units visited, troops morale remains high, focussed and determined to bring the fight against terrorism and insurgency to a logical and successful end,” he said.