For the second time in two day, Nigerian troops yesterday ambushed Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State, inflicting heavy losses on them, the Nigerian Army said last night.

Giving an account of the latest feat, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in a statement: “Troops of 212 Tank Battalion, 29 Task Force Brigade, early this morning laid an ambush on some Boko Haram elements at a major cattle market in Gwai Mainari around Mainok general area. The ambush party supported by a Quick Response Group (QRG), captured a Hilux vehicle containing 8 jerry cans of petroleum, oil and lubricants, large quantity of 7.62mm ammunitions, 127mm ammunitions and 4 AK-47 rifles, as well as 5 hand grenades.

“Some of the terrorists were killed while others escaped with gunshot wounds. It is important to note that more operational strategies are being employed to further flush out the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding in the North East.”

In an earlier update on the war against terror, the Army Spokesman had on Tuesday disclosed that troops of 7 Brigade Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Multinational Joint Task Force, on Monday inflicted casualties on Boko Haram terrorists, thus causing a major setback to the insurgents. “This feat was achieved when the troops staged an ambush against the terrorists at Kekeno, Kukawa Local Government Area. During the operation, the gallant troops killed 5 suspected Boko Haram terrorists, recovered one Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 knives, a horse and other locally fabricated weapons. The insurgents were believed to be on a retaliatory mission following the killing of a suspected Boko Haram Ameer during an ambush by our troops at Kekeno,” he said.

Continuing, Col. Usman said: “In another development, troops of 118 Task Force Battalion patrolling Mile 90-Kekeno general area, have killed one suspected Boko Haram terrorist and captured 2 other insurgents. Similarly, troops of Army Headquarters Special Forces on patrol to Yale came across Boko Haram terrorists camp at Bulagana, cleared the camp and rescued 40 civilians held hostage. Unfortunately, 1 soldier sustained gunshot wounds during the operation. He has since been evacuated and is responding to treatment.

“In the same vein, 151 Task Force Battalion of 21 Brigade while on patrol encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Budumri village during which they killed 25 Boko Haram terrorists and arrested 8 other terrorists. The troops also rescued 103 civilians held hostage by the terrorists. They also recovered 1 Golf car and quite a number of motorcycles and bicycles. The troops also cleared terrorists camp at Bolungu village. The same unit also rescued 181 persons and captured 8 Boko Haram terrorists. Among those rescued, were 18 men, 90 women and 77 children. The screening and profiling of those rescued is ongoing before their movement to IDP camps, while those arrested are being interrogated.

“Unfortunately, despite these successes, a crop of black sheep amongst us are bent on tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Army. Last Sunday 7th February 2016, two of our Explosive Ordinance Device personnel attached to 143 Battalion, 13NA/ 70/10183 Sapper Eric Nwokorie and 13NA/70/10263 Sapper Macauley Fortune were arrested at Yola park with the following unauthorised military items: 1 Smoke grenade, 2,136 live rounds of 7.62 (Special) ammunition, 50 live rounds of 7.6mm (NATO) ammunition, 5 magazines of AK 47 rifles, 2 Browning Machine Gun live rounds of ammunitions. Others include, 1 Axe, 1 Cutlass, 1 Jack knife, 9 Jungle hats, 11 pairs of Camouflage (9 Desert and 3 woodland green), 4 Military Pullovers, 1 Black beret, 1 Green beret, 1 Pair of number 7 dress, 2 General Duty belt, 12 Army T-shirts, 2 Rain Coats, 2 Water bottles, 1 Pairs of Rain boot and 5 Pairs of Desert boots.

“This unfortunate incident notwithstanding, troops’ morale remains high as they continue to dominate the general area with aggressive raids, ambushes and patrols to clear the remnants of the terrorists hibernating in the area.”

•Photo shows Boko Haram vehicle recovered by troops.

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