Nigerian troops on the Boko Haram frontline

The Nigerian Army said its troops on clearance operations in parts of Borno killed 12 Boko Haram insurgents and recovered several items.

A statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said the operation took place on Monday.

The troops recovered 75 cows and 25 sheep stolen by the insurgents.

He said the troops encountered and killed seven of the terrorists elements while clearance patrol of Warpaya, Zenteleye, Mubarka, Jadawa and Yerwa villages in Borno.

“Yesterday troops of 7 Division Strike Group Team B (7 DSGB), attached to 21 Brigade, along with four Civilian JTF, carried out clearance operation of suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

“During the operation they encountered and engaged elements of Boko Haram terrorists in Jadawa and Yerwa in which they killed seven terrorists, unfortunately four soldiers were wounded in action.

“Troops recovered one FN rifle with number ANT 015, two motorcycles and two mobile phones, as the operations continued the troops intercepted another group of terrorists with 75 cows and 25 sheep in the area,’’ the statement read in part.

In another development, Usman said troops of 114 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with members of the Civilian JTF on Monday killed five Boko Haram insurgents in Mbale and Madube villages.

He said the troops were on clearance patrol of the general area when they encountered the insurgents.

Usman said 22 persons comprising 10 females, six males and six children were rescued during the operation by the troops.

He said troops of 115 Task Force, 117 Task Force and 143 Task Force Battalions also carried out similar clearance patrols at different locations in Borno to clear hiding Boko Haram insurgents. (NAN)