A bloodbath has trailed last Friday’s daring assault on attacked an army barracks in Bama, Borno State, as Nigerian troops intensify efforts to hunt down the terrorists.

The Defence Headquarters yesterday disclosed that over 50 insurgents were killed while 15 soldiers and five civilians lost their lives in an operation it carried out on Monday night. Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said in a statement issued in Abuja that and about 20 vehicles belonging to the terrorists were also destroyed during the operation.

“Although a good number of the insurgents escaped with bullet wounds, while some have been arrested, over 50 of them died in the course of exchange of fire with ground troops in the operations to apprehend fleeing terrorists,” Maj.-Gen. Olukolade said, adding:

“The military has lost 15 soldiers, mostly from the attack while some died during the pursuit. A total of five civilians also died during the attack. Intensive cordon and search operations are still ongoing to fish out the insurgents who might be lurking around communities in the area.

“Meanwhile, families affected by the attacks have been relocated to other military locations.”

•Photo shows arm-wielding Nigerian troops.