The Army said on Thursday that a cache of arms, including hand propelled gun bombs, were recovered from Boko Haram insurgents during a clearance operation by troops of 156 Battalion deployed in Mainok, Borno State
It added that many of the terrorists, who laid ambush for the troops along the Jakana – Mainok Road were killed, while many others fled with gunshot injuries.
Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, said “Several Boko Haram insurgents were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Two Boko Haram criminals’ gun trucks, one BMG , one DSHK anti – aircraft gun, one AK 47 rifle, one rocket propelled gun bomb, 200 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition (belted) and a box of 7.62mm special ammunition were captured.”
Iliyasu added that troops of the 121 Task Force deployed in Gwoza Local Government Area successfully ambushed Boko Haram fighters at Sabon Garin Kirawa on January 27.
He said the troops of 121 Task Force Battalion in Pulka “sprung an ambush against the insurgents’’ and neutralized them. The troops, according to him, killed two of the terrorists.
Col. Iliyasu stated that apart from other clashes between soldiers and the insurgents in Gubio, Mafa and Mobbar Local Government Areas as well as Lambawa forest on January 28, 29, 30 and 31, an elite troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade under Operation Smokey Thunder, on February 5, 2020, smoked out another set of insurgents in Gudumbali.
The media coordinator added that in all the battles, Boko Haram recorded heavy casualty and lost their weapons to the military.
“In one of the most devastating defeats of Boko Haram criminals in recent times, on 5 February 2020, elite troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade sighted some Boko Haram terrorists mounted on nine Gun Trucks.
“The troops initiated a hot pursuit and made contact with the criminal. At the end of the encounter, five Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized and one of the Boko Haram criminals’ gun truck was destroyed.
“Additionally, one Dushka anti-aircraft gun, one PKM machine gun belt, 5 AK 47 rifles, one hand held radio, two android phones and three hand grenades were captured by the troops. Sadly, one gallant officer and one gallant soldier were wounded in action.”