It was a triumphant weekend for Nigerian troops battling Boko Haram as 63 insurgents lay dead after ground and air raids in parts of the troubled Borno State in the country’s North-East. The troops have stepped up pursuit of the insurgents since the December 20 incident in which Boko Haram warriors overran the Bama military base, killing 15 soldiers.

Giving an update yesterday, the Defence Headquarters in Abuja put the number of killed insurgents at 63.

Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, said the ground and air operations were conducted in the Alafa Forest, about 21 kilometres from Bama, where 56 insurgents were killed and two soldiers were injured. He said seven more died in an encounter with troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force near the borders with Niger and Chad.

Olukolade’s words: “Acting on intelligence reports which indicated renewed efforts by the terrorists to establish a new camp in the forests locations, the land and air operations has (sic) inflicted heavy casualty on the insurgents as indicated by the high level of their loss of men and materials.

“Air and land bombardments are continuing in different locations where terrorists have been reportedly sighted.

“In another development, troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force have foiled an attempt by terrorists who were massing up on an island on Lake Chad with a view to carrying out an attack on some Nigerian communities.

“Seven of the terrorists died while others fleeing in different direction towards Niger and Chad Republic are being trailed by troops.

“Intelligence reports have confirmed that some of the wounded terrorists were seen in a canoe paddling towards Tumbun Telkandam in Chad Republic.”

•Photo shows Defence spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade.