Operation Lafiya Dole: troops kill dozens of terrorists, rescue 455 hostages

Troops engaged in counter-terrorism operations in the Northeast of Nigeria on Friday rescued 455 Boko Haram captives, killing several dozens of the insurgents in the process.

The troops also destroyed some of the terrorists' camps and recovered a number of arms and ammunitions.

Here is a statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col Sani Kukasheka Usman on the exploits of the troops.

"Today (Friday), in the early hours, some elements of Boko Haram terrorists in 5 gun trucks, motorcycles and 2 Golf cars laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from Sambisa forest axis attempted an attack on 121 Task Force Battalion at Pulka. The ever alert and vigilant troops rose to the occasion and successfully repelled the attack and killed 7 Boko Haram terrorists, wounded several others and recovered 4 AK-47 rifles, 3 AK-47 rifle magazine and 92 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) belt ammunition. We wish to state that our troops are hale and hearty.

"In a related development, troops of 3 Battalion caught a suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ spy near the Battalion Headquarters at Gamboru Ngala. On interrogation, he confessed that he was sent to spy on the troops from Wulge.

"Consequent upon this the troops organized a fighting patrol comprising elements of Army Headquarters Strike Group and Civilian JTF to Wulge and Walamari. The troops had encounter with Boko Haram terrorists in which they killed 27 of them, recovered 5 motorcycles and 8 bicycles. They also cleared 12 terrorists’ camps and recovered 1 AK-47 rifles as well as 1 Dane gun.

"The troops also rescued 455 persons and escorted them to Gamboru Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camp. Unfortunately, we lost one of the Civilian JTF. Nevertheless, the troops’ morale remains very high. Similarly, troops of 103 Battalion this evening ambushed Boko Haram terrorists atMairimri village crossing point in which they killed quite a number of terrorists, recovered 15 bicycles and foodstuffs. Further confirmatory reconnaissance would be conducted to further exploit the situation."