Nigerian Troops Kill 30 Insurgents, Recover Arms Near Sambisa

The Nigerian army on Wednesday said it had killed more than 30 Boko Haram insurgents and recovered arms and ammunition during an operation near Sambisa forest in BOrno.

This is contained in a statement issued by the acting spokesperson of the army, Col. Sani Usman, in Abuja.

The statement said the army had also rescued people held hostage by the insurgents during the operation carried out by troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, deployed to Bitta and Pridang.

"Troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, Nigerian Army, deployed at Bitta and Pridang, successfully carried out a raid on the suspects' camps at Bulajilin and Manawashe villages along Bita and Damboa road at the fringes of Sambisa forest on Tuesday.

"The troops were able to killed 30 insurgents and rescued 338 persons held captive by the terrorists in the enclaves.

"The persons rescued comprising eight men,138 women and 92 children, have been evacuated to Mubi,’’ the statement said.

It said arms and ammunition recovered during the operation include one General Purpose Machine Gun and two Dane Guns, 150 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), 6 boxes of 7.62mm (NATO) and three cutlasses.

The statement also said that troops stationed in Madagali Local Government Area, Adamawa, based on a tip off, ambushed and killed four Boko Haram suspects.

It said the insurgents were on a suicide bombing mission to Gubula town in Madagali Local Government Area.

It said that the insurgent had recovered two AK-47 rifles, Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs) and mortar bombs and N153, 385.

It said the onslaught against the insurgents was a follow up to the recent warnings given to the insurgents to surrender or face full weight of the military’s action in the region.

"It is worthy to note that the raid on the terrorists’ enclave coincided with the Chief of Army Staff’s visit to the Brigade Headquarters in Mubi.

"The successful clearance operations and ambushing of the terrorists has further degraded them and saved the lives of many innocent victims of their suicide bombings.

"Having appealed and given the terrorists final warning, we will like to state that from now on the troops will continue to decisively deal with the terrorists until they are defeated.’’

The statement appealed to the public to remain vigilant, security consciousness as well as cooperate with the military and security agencies to enable them successfully defeat the terrorists.