The Defence Headquarters today confirmed that the military will continue to pursue suspected terrorists and members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect in north eastern Nigeria.
A statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen Christopher Olukolade said.
The statement confirmed that “Troops have continued the advance and attack on identified terrorist camps in the Northern part of the country. Patrols are also ongoing to secure towns and villages from infiltration, while curfews on identified flash points are being enforced”.
Olukolade further said “Dislodged terrorist have been noted to be in disarray with a large number of them heading backwards various border. There bases are being deserted but they are making efforts to evacuate most of the large stock of logistics including scores of vehicles in their holdings”.
He however confirmed that “a number of encounters have ensured since yesterday. After mop up of scenes of battle, 14 terrorist were confirmed dead, while, 7 vehicles and 13 telephone handsets were recovered. A total of 20 terrorist were apprehended as they fled. Altogether, 3 soldiers died, while 7 are wounded and are being treated in military medical facility, one soldier is missing”.
He also confirmed the delivery of reinforcements for the troops at the front of who have been engaging a large number of heavily armed terrorists since yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has 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’s way as much as possible”.