Soldiers of 121 Task Force Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade “met stiff resistance from the terrorists” when they took the battle to Boko Haram on Saturday, the Nigerian Army said last night. “They however overcame and cleared Dure 1, Dure 2 and Jango, Dibiye and other suspected Boko Haram terrorists hideouts within the general area of the district. Three soldiers however sustained injuries as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). They were immediately evacuated for medical treatment and are in stable condition,” Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in a statement.

Giving further details, Col. Usman said: “During the operation, troops killed several terrorists and recovered 2 hand held Motorola radios one of which was booby-trapped, materials for Improvised Explosive making Devices and destroyed several grains storage facilities.

“Simultaneously, another combined team of units under 26 Task Force Brigade based in Gwoza same day cleared Amdaga Makaranta and Amdaga Madachi of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists. During the encounter 2 Boko Haram terrorists fighters were killed.

“According to General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Okwudili Ezugwu, prior to the clearance operation, Dure 1 and 2 were Boko Haram strong holds in the mainland of Sambisa forest. The operation further revealed the new and desperate strategy of Boko Haram terrorists; hiding their logistics especially grains for the rainy season in dugouts and the use of hand held radios primed with Improvised Explosive Devices as booby-traps.

“He assured that the Nigerian military is confident that God that gives victory is helping the military to decode and frustrate all terrorists’ evil plans and machinations. General Ezugwu further noted that it is the military’s determined objective to ensure that the menace of Boko Haram would be consigned to the dustbin of inglorious history in the annals of Nigeria’s corporate existence as a nation.

“It is imperative to state that we shall not rest on our oars in implementing the directives of our indefatigable Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai to ensure that Boko Haram terrorists are completely defeated and their remnants are cleared wherever they may be hibernating.”

•Nigerian Army Photo shows troops posing with Boko Haram flag after a recent victory over the terrorists.

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