Jibrin Baba Ndace
The military, in a renewed onslaught, killed 18 insurgents and foiled attack on Bama and Ngurosoye, in Borno state, the Defence Headquarters has said.
The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, said in a press release yesterday that troops on patrol dislodged a band of terrorists who were about to attack some settlements in the outskirts of Bama and Ngurosoye.
“About 18 terrorists died in the encounter. 16 burnt AK 47 rifles were found in the debris while 5 pick-up vehicles, 7 Golf cars and one Hillux truck were destroyed.
“A total of 75 villagers were screened and released in the course of cordon and search in the adjoining communities. The purported bomb attack on a market in the vicinity as widely reported in the media is however yet to be verified.”
The director further said: “In a related development, a total of sixteen AK47 rifles were recovered in the course of cordon and search of communities, while mop-up operations are ongoing on Mandara mountains and Haraza hills.
“Troops eventually overran camps in the outskirts of Gombole, Mele, Kecheri, Durfada, Yuwe, and others around Mandara mountains and Sambisa forest after stiff resistance. Many terrorists died in the encounter, while a soldier lost his life and five others were wounded.”
The statement also revealed that the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has also stepped up patrols of the banks of Lake Chad as well as surrounding communities in addition to air surveillance and patrols designed to smoke out the remnants of the terrorists.
“The air raids on some camps sited on islands have also recorded successes in dislodging the terrorists located there. Cordon and search for the terrorists has been focused on thorough screening of the villagers in surrounding communities. Many terrorists have been identified and subsequently apprehended by troops in the process.
“Meanwhile, troops morale and fighting spirit have remained noticeably high while some of the terrorist camps falling to the forces in the ongoing counter terrorists campaign have been found deserted. Food items earlier seized by terrorists from the villagers are often found stockpiled along with other items such as electronics and power generators. The camps were swiftly razed by the troops.”
