The Nigerian military on Monday said it killed over 44 members of the radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram during gun battle at Kerenoa and adjoining communities.
The Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, who made this known in a statement, said the Islamist were ambushed by troops who repelled them during a pre-dawn attack on the targeted communities.
Lt- Gen. Chris Olukolade
He said that the terrorists were armed with IEDs and other high calibre weapons during the operation, adding that several of them were captured with weapons and ammunitions of various calibres recovered from them.
Olukolade, however, revealed that troops on routine patrol around Banki and Miyanti in Borno State at the weekend fought through an ambush laid by terrorists resulting in casualties on both sides. He said the military casualty was among the soldiers that died over the weekend.
Similarly, the spokesman said the army had taken over Balmo forest following a military operation that lasted throughout the weekend.
According to him, the forest, which stretches from Bauchi through Jigawa States, with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest, was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks. Sambisa forest is considered the main base of the Boko Haram insurgent group.
Olukolade said the terrorists and armed gangs operating in the forests were completely rooted out while some were captured during the operation.
The military spokesman said those captured were two foreigners suspected to be mercenaries.
Suspected Foreign mercenaries that were arrested by the soldiers during the operation
He said six soldiers were killed in various encounters with terrorists during the weekend while those injured are receiving treatment, adding that several weapons and equipment including power generating sets, communication equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, foodstuff and kitchen utensils were also recovered during the operation.
Below are other items recovered from the sect during the operation:
bomb making materialsbomb making materialsbomb making materialsbomb making materials
A statement by the Military authorities reads:
“Troops have cleared and taken over Balmo forest in a military operation that lasted throughout the weekend. Prior to the operation, Balmo forest stretching from Bauchi through Jigawa States with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks.
“Terrorists and armed gangs operating in the forests were completely rooted out while some were captured during the operation. Among those captured were two foreigners who are suspected to be mercenaries. Also captured are several weapons and equipment including power generating sets, communication equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, foodstuff and kitchen utensils.
“In another development, over 44 terrorists have died in Kerenoa and adjoining communities, following an encounter with troops who repelled their attack on the communities. Armed with IEDs and other high caliber weapons, a large number of terrorists had carried out a predawn attack on the communities but met with stiff resistance of the troops. During the operation, several of them were captured as well as weapons and ammunitions of various calibre.
“Meanwhile, troops on routine patrol around Banki and Miyanti in Borno State during the weekend fought through an ambush laid by terrorists resulting in casualties on both sides. Altogether, a total of 6 soldiers were lost in the various encounters with terrorists during the weekend while those wounded are receiving treatment.
Chris Olukolade
Major General
Director, Defence Information
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