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According to a report by SaharaReporters, the counter-insurgency initiative, has recorded more successes in the battle against members of the Boko Haram sect.
In a statement signed by Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Public Relations, Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, the Nigerian Army narrated how raids carried out on Thursday and Friday had yielded positive success.
Nwanchukwu said through Operation Deep Punch 11, which is aimed at clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists within Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad Basin general area, the troops, on launched a series of raids on terrorists' hideouts in Sambisa Forest.
The raids, the statement said, resulted in the killing of many insurgents, with the Air Task Force providing air cover for the ground troops as the terrorists fled.
Thursday, February 22, 2018 raid
On Thursday, February 22, 2018, Nwachukwu said a large number of Boko Haram terrorists attempting to escape through one of the blocking positions of the troops were killed.
The statement added that the troops also recovered a variety of weapons in an ambush near Sabil Huda.
However, two soldiers suffered injuries and were evacuated by the Nigerian Air Force. They are said to responding to treatment.
Items recovered: G3 rifle magazine, one life jacket; a light machine gun metal link; four rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition; four rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition; three rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.
Friday, February 23, 2018 raid
On Friday, February 23, 2018, the troops reportedly launched a series of attacks on locations around Camp Zairo within Sambisa Forest.
The offensive was, however, disrupted by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which affected one of the troops' Armoured Fighting Vehicles.
The undaunted troops continued with the offensive leading to the clearance of terrorists' hideout around Parisu.
During the clearance, five Boko Haram terrorists were killed, while many others sustained injuries.
Also discovered was the terrorists' metal fabrication factory housing various machines for welding and making IEDs.
Items recovered: one 122 millimetre truck-mounted gun that also bears an anti-aircraft gun; one Rocket-Propelled Grenade; one grenade revolver; seven mortar bombs; two Toyota Hilux vehicles; three power generating sets; two motorcycles; additional mortar bombs; gas cylinders.
Other raids
Nwachukwu in the statement said in addition to the raids, troops of the 151 Battalion, in conjunction with 7 Division Support Group raided some hideouts around Frigi crossing point and Izza general area.
The troops reportedly destroyed nine Boko Haram hideouts, killed an unspecified number of terrorists,rescued an old man and three elderly women.
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Items recovered: a motorcycle; a bicycle; 10 bicycle tyres; three Boko Haram flags; one solar panel; five drums of guinea corn; two medium size mattresses; grinding machines; bags of metal scraps; motorcycle tyres; underground food storage facilities; an AK-47 rifle magazine, one dummy rifle, a round of 12.7mm ammunition, 12 empty cases of 7.62mm ammunition, huge quantity of IED-making materials and a tool box.