Daring Boko Haram terrorists on Thursday morning took the battle to troops in Sambisa Forest but paid dearly for the gamble, with the gallant troops killing 15 of the terrorists and capturing a large quantity of weapons.

Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, has commended the troops, who are of 21 Brigade of the Division, “for delivering a devastating deep punch to Boko Haram terrorists, leading to the capture of large quantities of terrorists’ equipment,” Deputy Director Army Public Relations 7 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Kingsley Samuel, said.

Samuel said in a statement issued this afternoon in Maiduguri: “The commendation came on the heels of troops display of bravery that led to successful and decisive repelling Boko Haram terrorists attempted incursion into their location in Sambisa forest, Borno State, early morning today, Thursday, 27th April 2017.

“The troops resilience paid off with heavy battering of Boko Haram terrorists leading to the terrorist sustaining huge casualties in fighters and equipment. The terrorists paid dearly as the troops neutralised 15 of them and wounded several others.

“In addition, the gallant troops made heavy seizures with the destruction of 1 vehicle bound Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) belonging to the terrorists and capture of 1 Buffalo Gun truck mounted with Long Barrel Shilka Gun, 2 General Purpose Machine Gun, 1 PKM Gun, mortar tubes, 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 FN rifles, 1 G3 rifle. Others are 5 pieces of 60mm mortar Bombs, various GSM handsets, 36 Hand Grenade, 12 rifle magazines, Shilka fill tray, 750 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 106 rounds of 32mm ammunition, a 12 volt battery, 3 Automatic Grenade Launcher bombs and 5 mortar charges, among others.

“The GOC enjoined troops to remain resolute in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents in the North East in order to ensure total compliance with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai’s directive that remnants of Boko Haram terrorists are flushed out of Nigerian territory.”

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