Scores of Boko Haram fighters killed

No fewer than 23 Boko Haram insurgents were killed and more than 150 Nigerian hostages freed, after joint attacks against the sect’s fighters by Nigerian and Cameroonian troops in a border town.

The Nigerian town of Kumshe,15 kilometres from Cameroon’s border, “which has been under the control of the sect for 18 months”, was taken by the Multinational Joint Taskforce, spokesman of the Cameroonian army Didier Badjeck, said in an interview yesterday in Yaounde.

According to him, the raids occurred in northeastern Nigeria between Monday and Wednesday.

 Also yesterday, the Army repelled an attempt by the sect to retake Dikwa, a Borno State town.

Army acting Director of Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the terrorists intended to cause havoc at the IDPs camp in Dikwa.

According to him, unknown to the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists, the Armed Forces Special Forces in blocking positions; decisively dealt with the terrorists; killing many of them and recovered vehicle, arms and ammunition.

“Unfortunately, we lost a soldier and a member of the local vigilante (Civilian JTF) during the encounter while three soldiers and four IDPs sustained injuries.

“A military vehicle was damaged by a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) suicide bomber,” he said.

He added that the troops “recovered 26 bodies of the Boko Haram terrorists, destroyed three VIED, one MBIED and two Gun trucks.

“The gallant troops recovered one gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, one Dushka Anti-Aircraft Gun, one Browning Anti-Aircraft Gun, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Tube. Others include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), four AK 47 rifles, three RPG bombs, 36 hand grenades, one Smoke Grenade and eight AK-47 rifles magazines.

The troops also recovered 236 rounds of 12.7mm ammunitions, 396 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions and 101 rounds of 762mm (Special), ammunition.”

Col. Usman said the casualties were evacuated while the troops remained in pursuit of the terrorists that escaped with gunshot wounds.

“It is encouraging to note that despite the loss of a colleague and the vigilante, the troops have maintained domineering presence in the general area and poised to continue to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists.”