The Nigerian Army says it has recorded more successes in the fight against terrorism as troops of 118 Task Force Battalion, 8 Task Force Division, on blocking position at Garere Junction, on Thursday, ambushed Boko Haram terrorists at Gudumbali, northern part of Borno State, while they were crossing to another location with some logistics items.

A statement issued by Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman indicated that during the operation, the troops killed two and wounded one of the Boko Haram terrorists.

The troops also recovered two AK-47 and a G3 rifles. In addition, they recovered 660 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and yards of military uniforms. The troops also recovered a truck earlier stolen by the terrorists in Kangarwa.

“Earlier on Tuesday, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade, accompanied by a large number of Civilian JTF from Gwoza, embarked on a very aggressive patrol that dislodged remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hibernating at Ngoshe and Gava villages, located close to Gwoza on the mountainous terrain.

“The essence of the robust patrol which was supported by the Nigeria Air Force and Cameroonian Defence Forces who provided air cover and real time Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, was to clear the remnants of the terrorists hiding in the mountainous area and rescue all persons held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists.

“While advancing towards their objective in Ngoshe, the patrol team encountered Boko Haram terrorists. They had to clear the delay positions staged by the terrorists through the support of the Nigeria Air Force fighter jets.

“Although the number of terrorists killed could not be ascertained, quite a number of them where seen falling over the mountains when engaged. It is equally believed several others escaped with gunshot wounds,” the Army spokesman said.

The troops were said to have recovered quite a number of arms and ammunitions, including one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube, four RPG Bombs, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one Fabrique Nationale (FN) rifle and three AK-47 rifles.

Other items recovered include one Sub-Machine Gun (SMG), one locally made pistol, a locally made Double-Barrel gun, one Smoke Grenade, 243 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and one round of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition. They also recovered 18 rounds of MI16 rifle, three G3 Rifle magazines, two AK-47 magazines, one mobile telephone handset and a SIM card, as well as a pair of military desert camouflage uniform.

Also recovered from the bandits were an address card, three Boko Haram terrorists’ flags and a Toyota Hilux vehicle painted in desert camouflage colour and motorcycles. The troops did not find any hostage in Gava. However, they rescued 16 civilians held in Ngoshe prison, while many residents of the town saw it as an opportunity to flee from the town. Both the rescued and freed persons are being profiled by the troops.

The troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army involved in Operation SHARAN DAJI, the outfit set up to clear cattle rustlers, armed bandits and kidnappers in the north west geo-political region had last Wednesday, cleared armed bandits in Gobirawan Kwacha, Dansadau District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

During the encounter in the forest, the troops were able to kill three armed bandits and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and 11 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition. Unfortunately, the bandits shot and damaged the troops’ vehicle. However, none of the soldiers was injured.

•Photo shows Nigerian troops on duty against Boko Haram.

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