Troops conducting anti-terrorists operations in North-Eastern Nigeria have successfully averted attempted massive raid on villages in Borno and Adamawa States during the weekend, killing at least 50 terrorists.
The terrorists who were on their way to attack selected communities were ambushed by troops along Bilta, Borno State on receiving intelligence report of the terrorists’ intention.
A statement by the spokesman for the military, Major General Chris Olukolade, said the attack was launched on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10:00pm on Saturday.
“Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued, while 30 rifles, 36 Hand Grenades, seven Machine guns and 11 Rocket Propelled grenade tubes were captured by the troops,” the statement read.
Also recovered from the terrorists were over 3,500 rounds of ammunition, six smoke grenade canisters and locally fabricated guns as well as four vehicles used by the terrorists in the foiled attack.
According to the statement, four soldiers were wounded in the operation and they are currently receiving medical treatment at a military medical facility.
The military are carrying out anti-terror campaign in the northeast against the terrorist group, Boko Haram that has carried out series of attacks on villages, schools and churches in the region. The are demanding for an Islamist state and an end to western education in the region.
The most hit state in the region is Borno State, with over 200 girls abducted on April 14 from the dormitory of Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok.
Military troops are still trying to rescue the girls who a military chief said their location was known.
The leader of the terrorist group, Abubakar Shekau, said in a video of the girls released last month that the girls would be released in exchange of the group members held in different detention camps across Nigeria.
The abduction of the girls sparked protest across Nigeria and other parts of the world, drawing international interest, with heightened support for the Nigerian government in the fight against terrorism.