Nigerian and Cameroonian troops have launched a joint offensive against Boko Haram insurgents, recording much success during the operations, the Nigerian Army said yesterday.

Giving an update on the war against insurgency, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in a statement: “On Friday, a patrol team from 5 Brigade, traversing Dogon Gida and New Marte stepped on an undetected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

“Unfortunately, 4 soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries and their vehicle was badly damaged. The wounded soldiers have since been evacuated by Nigeria Air Force.

“Nevertheless, the team has been reinforced and have continued their patrols until they fish out the perpetrators and neutralise them.

“Similarly, to further buttress the collective resolve in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists between Nigeria and our neighbouring countries, troops of 25 and 26 Task Force Brigades in conjunction with Cameroonian forces carried out clearance operation against the Boko Haram terrorists around Ngoshe village.

“While the Cameroonian troops carried out the clearance, their Nigerian counterparts provided blocking forces at strategic points where they decisively dealt with fleeing terrorists that tried to escape.

“Consequently, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion also advanced to Mararraba, Angwan Fada, Dale, Wizha, Bokko Timit, Bokko Nasanu, Bokko Hide, up to Ngoshe village where they linked up with the Cameroonians.

“During the operations all Boko Haram terrorists enclaves within the area were cleared. In the process, the troops killed 10 Boko Haram terrorists and also rescued 45 persons which included 17 women and 28 children.

“The troops also discovered that the terrorists cratered the road linking Pulka, Mararraba and Ngoshe and safely detonated 5 IEDs buried by the terrorists. In addition, they also destroyed an IED manufacturing workshop in the village. They also cleared Sino village.

“The Cameroonian forces have also knocked out Boko Haram terrorists gun trucks, raided and cleared several IED making factories along the border towns.”

•Nigerian Army Photo shows a Nigerian commander and his Cameroonian counterpart sharing bottles of water to quench thirst.

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