The Nigerian Army says its troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have killed more Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in an encounter in Dikwa.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement, on Tuesday, said the troops carried out the operation on Monday.

Mr. Yerima disclosed that the troops’ sustained onslaught against the terrorists had continued to gain traction, following the “knock by troops of 81 Task Force Battalion, in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force and Vigilante in the axis.”

He said the troops conducted an “aggressive fighting patrol and concealed picketing” and engaged terrorists mounted on motorcycles and a gun truck “in a fierce firefight,” killing six of them.

“Items captured in the encounter included one PKM, two AK-47 rifles, one FN rifle, three FN rifle magazines, two AK-47 rifle magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 19 rounds of 7.62mm special and 67 PKM-linked rounds.

“Others were two motorcycles, one magazine pouch, two mobile handsets, and a tube of an adhesive solution,” he said.

Mr. Yerima also disclosed that Bravo Company troops, while on a similar routine perimeter patrol on the same day, recovered a phone likely abandoned by one of the fleeing terrorists on March 14.

He added, “In line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, troops will remain resolute and determined to ensure that the general area was completely cleared and protected while aggressively dominating every route where terrorists are suspected to move around in order to smoke them out.” 

(NAN)