Special Forces troops yesterday killed 14 terrorists and recovered seven vehicles and 13 telephone handsets as they advanced on identified terrorist camps in the Northern part of the country, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has said.
The Special Forces has engaged a large number of heavily armed terrorists since yesterday.
“In the course of special forces pursuits and operations, a number of encounters ensured since yesterday,” the Military claimed in a statement issued by Brigadier General Chris Olukolade.
“After a mop up of scenes of battle, 14 terrorist were confirmed dead, while seven vehicles and 13 telephone handsets were recovered. A total of 20 terrorist were apprehended as they fled. Altogether, three soldiers died, while seven were wounded and were being treated in military medical facility; one soldier is missing.”
Patrols are also ongoing to secure towns and villages from infiltration, while curfews on identified flash points are being enforced.
Dislodged terrorists have been noted to be in disarray with a large number of them heading backwards various borders. They are deserting their bases and are making efforts to evacuate most of the large stock of logistics, including scores of vehicles in their holdings.
Meanwhile, the required reinforcement and logistics have been delivered to forces in front where they have been engaging a large number of heavily armed terrorists since yesterday.
The Defence Headquarters expressed satisfaction with the high standard of compliance with operational order and strict observance of the rules of engagement so far. The forces have been directed to maintain the robustness of the patrols and enforcement of curfews where emplaced and ensure that civilians are kept out of harm way as much as possible.
Nigerian soldiers have effectively cut off supplies to some notorious terrorist bases and hideouts in Borno State, in a bid to deprive Boko Haram fighters of arms and essentials in those remote towns they control, the Army has said.
The move is part of major offensive adopted in three northeastern states against insurgents seeking to secede part of the country. The assault on Boko Haram includes air strikes on strongholds in remote parts of northeastern Borno State, and has spread to the state capital Maiduguri, the fighters’ traditional home base.
“There is a huge build-up of trucks loaded with essential commodities along the Baga road on the way out of Maiduguri to the northern part of the state,” said Ibrahim Yahaya. “The drivers said they have been prevented by the Military from going northward.”
Also, Defence Spokesman, Chris Olukolade said in a separate statement that fighters on the run were scrambling for key supplies like fuel. He, therefore, urged residents to report anyone trying to buy large quantities of fuel.
