The clearance operations of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists is gaining momentum in the various axis of the theatre especially in 7 Division area of responsibility, the Nigerian Army said on Saturday.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said: “Within the last 48 hours, the troops were able to clear Boko Haram camps, killed several of the terrorists and recovered vehicles, weapons, equipment and rescued persons.”

Continuing, the Army Spokesman said in an update on the war against terror: “The troops of 151 Task Force Battalion have cleared terrorists’ hideouts in Izza and 8 surrounding other villages. Similarly, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion deployed at Pulka came under attack from suspected Boko Haram terrorists fanning out of Sambisa forest to escape sustained aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Air Force pilots.

“The troops successfully repelled the attack by killing 17 Boko Haram terrorists and also recovered 12 AK-47 rifles, 6 AK-47 rifle magazines, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 1 Browning Machine Gun, 1 Toyota Hilux vehicle, a 60mm mortar tube, 4 pieces of 60mm mortar bombs, 1 belt of 12.5mm ammunition and 9 belts of 12.7mm (NATO) ammunition.

“Others were 3 hand grenades and 7 boxes of .50mm ammunition.

Troops of 114 Task Force Battalion while on patrol along Bitta-Pridang-Manawashe axis rescued 95 persons suspected to have escaped from Madube and Shuwari general area. The rescued persons are being screened and profiled.

“Troops of 115 Task Force Battalion accompanied by some members of the vigilante group in their area, have also conducted patrol to Dogwaba, Dutse, Mayolarde, Musa A, B and C villages without any contact with terrorists. They have however continued to dominate the area and make it secure.

“Similarly, troops of 117 of Task Force Battalion also conducted another patrol around Mildo, Vapura, Mildo, Shelmi, Gubla, Dar and Hyambula settlements. In the process, they also rescued 27 persons who escaped from Mayo Ali village. One of the female rescued persons gave birth to a baby boy few minutes after the rescue. Both mother and child are being cared for at the unit’s Regimental Aid Post and are doing fine.

“On their part, 7 Division Garrison in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force, have arrested one Mallam Ashiru Zarami at Mainok, a suspected Boko Haram terrorists logistic officer at Mainok with food items. The suspect has been handed over to the Joint Intelligence Processing Centre. In a related development, another suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Mallam Abubakar Kime voluntarily handed over himself to troops and Civilian JTF at Benisheikh, Borno State. On interrogation he claimed to have escaped from Kalmari village close to Alagarno forest.

“The troops of 81 Battalion also laid an ambush for Boko Haram terrorists at suspected Boko Haram terrorists crossing point from Sambisa forest near Komala and Musafanari villages. Sensing danger, the approaching terrorists disembarked and abandoned their vehicles and fled into the bush leading back to deep into Sambisa forest shortly before approaching the killing zone. Nevertheless, the troops opened fire and wounded several of the terrorists.

“The troops recovered the abandoned Toyota Pick-up vehicle and 28 Bags pf groundnuts.

On their part, the heroic 7 Division Strike Group encountered an ambush by suspected Boko Haram terrorists enroute to Banki. They successfully fought it out, killed 4 terrorists and recovered AK-47 rifles, 2 mobile telephone handsets and a Shilka shell loaded with explosives.”

•Photo shows gallant troops searching for Boko Haram terrorists inside Sambisa Forest.

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