Troops Eliminate 11 Rerrorists, Recover Arms In Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force in the North-East have eliminated 11 terrorists during fierce encounters in Borno State.

The military also noted that it also recovered a lot of arms, ammunition and a truck laden with petroleum products.

The development was disclosed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja.

The spokesman of the Nigerian Army said the troops of the 82 Task Force Battalion who were on patrol along Ngoshe –Ashigashiya Road, about 12km from the unit’s location, had an encounter with Boko Haram terrorists at Daushe.

Nwachukwu added that the clash led to the elimination of five terrorists, while others retreated into Mandara mountains with several gunshot wounds.

He added that during the fire exchange, the troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle, one Magazine containing 13 rounds of fabricated 7.62mm (Special), a bandolier of 44 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) and a bag containing 52 rounds of 7.62mm (Special).

He noted that the troops of the 212 Battalion had on July 1 launched an offensive against some terrorists along Gadayi-Kareto-Gubio axis, Magumeri, Tungushe villages and areas around Kerenoa.

He said that the troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle and one Baufeng communication radio set abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

Nwachukwu further stated that troops had on July 2 intercepted terrorists belonging to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province while they (terrorists) were crossing through an identified supply route along Auno – Jakana axis with a truck laden with petroleum products..

According to him, vigilant troops deployed at the Garin Kuturu checkpoint swiftly engaged the terrorists in a fierce battle forcing them to flee abandoning the truck and the petroleum products.

“Following the attack on the terrorists, reinforcement by troops of Sectors 1 and 2 gave the fleeing terrorists a hot pursuit with close air support from the Nigerian Air Force component of OPHK.

“During the encounter, six terrorists were neutralised, three AK 47 rifles and one rocket-propelled grenade were captured, while one gun truck was destroyed.

“Two other gun trucks abandoned by the terrorists were also recovered,” he said.