Troops kill 15 Boko Haram insurgents, recover weapons in Sambisa

by Azeez Adeniyi

The 7 Division Nigerian Army said it has killed 15 Boko Haram terrorists on Thursday during an attempt to invade their location in Sambisa forest, Borno State.

The division in a statement by its Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Lt. Colonel Kingsley Samuel said the troops wounded several others.

The statement said heavy seizures were made and a vehicle bound Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) belonging to the terrorists was destroyed.

The statement reads, “The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu has commended troops of 21 Brigade of the Division for delivering a devastating deep punch to Boko Haram terrorists leading to the capture of large quantities of terrorists’ equipment.

“The commendation came on the heels of troops display of bravery that led to successful and decisive repelling Boko Haram terrorists attempted incursion into their location in Sambisa forest, Borno State early morning today, Thursday, 27th April 2017.

“The troops resilence paid off with heavy battering of Boko Haram terrorists leading to the terrorist sustaining huge casualties in fighters and equipment. The terrorists paid dearly as the troops neutralized 15 of them and wounded several others.

“In addition, the gallant troops made heavy seizures with the destruction of 1 vehicle bound Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) belonging to the terrorists and capture of 1 Buffalo Gun truck mounted with Long Barrel Shilka Gun, 2 General Purpose Machine Gun, 1 PKM Gun, mortar tubes, 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 FN rifles, 1 G3 rifle. Others are 5 pieces of 60mm mortar Bombs, various GSM handsets, 36 Hand Grenade, 12 rifle magazines, Shilka fill tray, 750 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 106 rounds of 32mm ammunition, a 12 volt battery, 3 Automatic Grenade Launcher bombs and 5 mortar charges, among others.

“The GOC enjoined troops to remain resolute in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents in the North East in order to ensure total compliance with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai’s directive that remnants of Boko Haram terrorists are flushed out of Nigerian territory.”