Nigerian troops and the Islamist sect, Boko Haram Thursday night engaged in gun duel in the outskirts of Borno, one of the three frontline states under partial emergency rule.
The major fight, which broke out as a result of the capture of a ringleader, according to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, left no fewer than 40 insurgents and four soldiers dead.
In spite of emergency rule, the insurgents have continued to carry out deadly attacks leading to death of hundreds of innocent people and recently abducted over 200 students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno state.
Olukolade states, “The capture of a number of terrorists believed to be the ringleaders of those operating around Alagarmo, has sparked off a major fight in the outskirts of Bulanbuli, Borno State last night. Over 40 terrorists died in the encounter while 4 soldiers lost their lives and 9 were wounded.
“More than 16 rifles and a substantial number of assorted calibres of ammunitions, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) materials, SIM Cards and electronic items have so far been recovered.
“Two of the terrorists were earlier arrested at a local market two days ago while trying to procure foodstuff while others were spying on the military base in the area. Others still being trailed include a terrorist medic who was on a mission to procure drugs for use by his colleagues.
“Bulanbuli is between Alagarmo and Sambisa Forest where the terrorists have been attempting to establish a stronghold in their campaign”.
