Troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, led by the General Officer Commanding of the Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, have cleared remnants of Boko Haram terrortist out of strategic hub town of Chukungudu on the southern fringes of the Lake Chad Region, northern Borno State.
Army spokesperson, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman said the maneuvering Brigade led by 3 Battalion of 22 Brigade, successfully cleared Geram, Bulankassa and Chukungudu believed to be the Boko Haram terrorists stronghold in that area.
He said the troops rescued 85 people, comprising of mostly women and children held hostage by insurgents. He added that the troops neutralised five Boko Haram terrorists fighters in a fierce encounter that made several of the terrorists running into the Lake Chad waters.
“The troops recovered four rounds of Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, one Double Barrel Gun, 349 packets containing various rounds of ammunitions, three Magazines, a link belt of machine gun ammunition and 1 AK-47 rifle magazine,” he said.
Col. Usman said the troops made “spectacular” discovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory at Geram, during the clearance operations.
He said the troops recovered several already primed suicide bombers’ vests, in the factory, while a well-equipped motor vehicles and motorcycles’ workshop and spare parts where house at Chukungudu village. He also said the troops recovered 3 vehicles and several newly acquired motorcycles.
“Unfortunately, a soldier died during the encounter. In line with Rules of Engagement, IED factory, vehicles and motorcycles were destroyed,” he said.
