Army kills 16 insurgents, recover weapons in Borno

The Nigerian Army says it neutralized sixteen insurgents of the Boko Haram terrorist sect and recovered a weapons cache during its clearance operation in Mairari village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno state.

Deputy Director Public Relations, , Col. Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement on Sunday, July 29, 2018, said the terrorists were killed in an encounter with troops deployed in the Forward Operational Base (FOB) along Mairari at about 6.50 pm on Friday 27 July 2018.

Nwachukwu said that the troops also recovered two gun trucks abandoned by the insurgents during the encounter.

“The insurgents in three vehicles, including gun trucks had infiltrated and attacked the community, when troops at the formation were alerted by locals,” Nwachukwu stated.

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“The troops supported by the Air Task Force swiftly responded to the attack killing 16 insurgents and capturing two trucks loaded with guns abandoned by the insurgents, as they tried escaping, having been overwhelmed by the superior fire power from the troops.

“The gallant troops also recovered 163 Rounds of Anti-Aircraft Gun Ammunition during the fierce encounter,” he added.

Col. Nwackukwu noted that four civilians and a soldier sustained varying degrees of injury and have been promptly evacuated to a Military Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

“The FOB has been further reinforced with additional troops, while fighting patrols are on the trail of the insurgents who fled the attack."

He maintained that normalcy has been restored to the area and enjoined the people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activities as they go about their businesses.