Soldiers raid Boko Haram forest, kill 44 insurgents

Troops have cleared and surmounted Balmo forest in a military operation that lasted throughout the weekend.

Prior to the operation, Balmo forest, stretching from Bauchi through Jigawa states with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest, was utilized by the terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks.

A verbalization by the Director, Defence Information, Maj.Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuja on Monday, verbalized terrorists  and armed gangs, operating in the forests, were thoroughly rooted out while some were captured during the operation.

It however did not designate the number of those apprehended during the operation, but verbally expressed two foreigners, suspected to be mercenaries, were among those captured.

Also recuperated were several weapons and equipment including power engendering sets, communication equipment, conveyances, motorcycles, foodstuff and kitchen utensils.

In another development, over 44 terrorists have died in Kerenoa and adjoining communities, following an encounter with troops who repelled an assailment on the communities.

Armed with Improvised Explosive Devices and other high caliber weapons, a sizably voluminous number of terrorists had carried out a predawn attack on the communities but met with stiff resistance from the troops.

During the operation, several of them were captured as well as weapons and ammunition of sundry calibre,according to the Defence headquarters.

“Meanwhile, troops on routine patrol around Banki and Miyanti in Borno State during the weekend fought through an ambuscade laid by terrorists resulting in casualties on both sides.

“Altogether, a total of six soldiers were disoriented in the sundry encounters with terrorists while those wounded are receiving treatment,” the verbal expression integrated.