Troops of the Nigerian Army fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East have intercepted terrorists disguising as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) along Firgi-Pulka Road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

Drawn from the 151 and 202 Battalions of 21 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the troops under Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in furtherance of clearance and blockade Operation DEEP PUNCH II, carried out separate but well-coordinated attacks simultaneously on Wednesday, having laid ambush for the unsuspecting terrorists, according to the statement by the Army.

In the statement issued on Thursday, Brigadier General Sani Usman, Director, Army Public Relations, said the troops engaged the terrorists with a heavy fire causing the terrorists to abandon their weapons and flee in disarray with gunshot wounds.

He said: “In the first instance, upon exploitation, troops recovered from the ambush site one General Multi-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and one motorcycle.

“They also successfully discovered and safely detonated unexploded ordnance. However, the troops followed with a hot pursuit, neutralised one terrorist and recovered six bundles of zinc.”

The Army spokesman also disclosed that the terrorists, who disguised as IDPs, were trying to infiltrate a barrier. “The vigilant troops engaged the suicide bombers forcing them to hastily detonate their suicide vest.

“The troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, two magazines with several rounds of ammunition, amongst other items. The troops’ action saved what would have been another evil machination of BHTs ploy to utilise suicide bombing to inflict heavy casualties on soft targets.”

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