Military eliminates 8 terrorists, rescue victims in Borno

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam & Uche Uche, Damaturu

The Nigerian military said its troops of ”Operation Fire Ball” have eliminated eight terrorists of Boko Haram and Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) in recent encounters in the North East.
The military in a statement issued yesterday by its Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, said that ”Operation Fire Ball” is a subsidiary operation under ”Operation Lafiya Dole”.
He said the troops also rescued a woman and three children and recovered a large cache of arms during the encounter.
Onyeuko said that the troops had between Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 thwarted an attempt by Boko Haram/ISWAP to infiltrate Buni Gari town in Yobe, and eliminated five of the insurgents.
According to him, troops recovered one fabricated (VBL) Armoured Personnel Carrier, one Gun Truck, one NSVT Anti Aircraft Gun, one QJC Anti Aircraft Gun, one Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, one PKT gun, one GPMG, one QJC Extra Barrel, six AK47 rifles, 311 rounds of 7.62mm NATO Ammunition from the encounter.
Onyeuko also said that that troops of 151 Task Force Battalion deployed in Miyanti in Bama Local Government Area of Borno, destroyed terrorists’ hideout and rescued one woman and three children on Nov. 8.
He added that two bicycles and other items were recovered from the fleeing insurgents.
According to him, on Nov. 3, troops of Army Super Camp 7 deployed in Bama, successfully thwarted a suicide-bomber attempt on their camp.
“The vigilant troops sighted and neutralised the lone female suicide bomber before she could detonate her vest.
“In another development, troops of Army Super Camp 11 deployed at Gamboru on Nov. 3, killed Boko Haram terrorists, forcing others to flee with possible gunshot wounds.
“Resulting from the encounter, the troops captured one AK 47 rifle and 2 Boko Haram terrorists flags,” he said.
He commended the troops for their resilience, doggedness and commitment to the war against insurgents in the North East and urged them to continue to build on the successes.