by Azeez Adeniyi

Troops of operation Lafiya Dole and the Multi-National Joint Task Force have killed at least 57 Boko Haram terrorists in Northern Borno State.

Commander, air component of Operation Lafiya Dole, Air Commodore Charles Ohwo, confirmed the incident, while briefing journalists in Yola, Adamawa State.

He said the insurgents were regrouping under trees when an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform of the air component caught them.

[Read Also: Troops ambush Boko Haram insurgents in Borno]

He said the MNJTF troops later opened fire on them.

He said, “In Arege village of northern Borno, on Monday, an ISR operation was carried out. We discovered that a lot of fleeing Boko Haram insurgents hid under trees and the adverse weather prevented us from taking them out in an air strike. So, we communicated with the MNJTF troops around the location.

“In the fire fight which ensued, at least 57 Boko Haram members were killed by the MNJTF forces. Several arms and ammunition were also recovered from the insurgents.

“In Tagoshe and Gwoza hills, there were also indications that the Boko Haram terrorists had hideouts and we mobilised the ISR platform to the place. We thereafter conducted air interdiction and blew up the terrorists. We have and will continue to monitor all these areas.”

Azeez