Nigerian troops have again, captured more camps as they intensify onslaught against the insurgents in the north eastern part of the country.
During the encounter, troops killed 18 insurgents while 16 AK 47 rifles and 13 vehicles belonging to them were burnt.
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, the Multi-National Joint Task Force is also stepping up patrols along the Chad border.
The Defence spokesperson however said the reported attack on a market was yet to be verified, adding that cordon and search of communities are being intensified.
Olukolade states, “Troops on patrol during the weekend dislodged a band of terrorists who were about to attack some settlements in the outskirt of Bama and Ngurosoye. About 18 terrorists died in the encounter. 16 burnt AK 47 rifles were found in the debris while 5 Pickup vehicles, 7 Gulf cars and one Hillux truck were destroyed.
“A total of 75 villagers were screened and released in the course of cordon and search in the adjoining communities. The purported bomb attack on a market in the vicinity as widely reported in the media is however yet to be verified.
“In a related development, a total of sixteen AK47 rifles were recovered in the course of cordon and search of communities, while mop up operations are ongoing on Mandara Mountains and Haraza hills.
“Troops eventually overran camps in the outskirts of Gombole, Mele, Kecheri, Dufrfada, Yuwe, and others around Mandara mountains and Sambisa forests after stiff resistance. Many terrorists died in the encounter, while a soldier lost his life and five others were wounded.
“The Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has also stepped up patrols of the banks of Lake Chad as well as surrounding communities in addition to air surveillance and patrols designed to smoke out the remnants of the terrorists. The air raids on some camps sited on Islands have also recorded successes in dislodging the terrorists located there.
“Cordon and search for the terrorists have been focused on thorough screening of the villagers in surrounding communities. Many terrorists have been identified and subsequently apprehended by troops in the process”.
He assured that troops are in high spirit as the camps continue to fall to the forces in the ongoing counter terrorists’ campaign.
