Troops of the Nigerian Army on Sunday neutralised 12 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Sambisa, Borno, Zamfara and Katsina. 

The director, Army public relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Nwachukwu said the troops, in conjunction with hybrid forces, overran a notorious terrorists’ enclave in Sambisa Forest, killing eight terrorists.

He said during the operation, a fierce gun battle ensued, inflicting severe losses on the terrorist group and compelling them to retreat and abandon their camp in disarray.

According to him, the gallant troops recovered five locally fabricated double-barreled guns, two motorbikes and assorted foodstuffs belonging to the terrorists.

Mr Nwachukwu said the troops, in a separate operation on the same day in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, killed two insurgents in combat.

He said they recovered three AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 57 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three Baofeng radio sets, 12 Baofeng radio chargers and one bandolier.

He added that the troops also rescued a civilian and destroyed two motorcycles and makeshift structures in the insurgents’ camp.

The army spokesman said the troops also cleared Dandalla, Madada, Dogon Karfe, Hayi, Gobirawan and Kango Kuyambana villages in Gusau and Maru Local Government Areas of Zamfara.

He said the troops neutralised two terrorists and recovered one AK-47 rifle, three fabricated guns, two rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition, one motorcycle and two solar panels.

In the south-east, Mr Nwachukwu said the troops had on Sunday raided and destroyed IPOB/ESN Fighters’ firearms production factory located between the Ekoli Edda and Amagwu Ohafia communities in Ebonyi and Abia.

According to him, the dissidents’ camp, which was used for fabricating firearms and producing ammunition, was fortified with fire trenches and sandbag parapets and powered by a 15 KVA generator.

“The vigilant troops recovered two fabricated AK-47 rifles, one rocket-propelled rifle (RPG), two IPOB/ESN flags, as well as welding and filing machines from the factory.

“These successful operations demonstrate the commitment of the Nigerian Army to combating the nation’s security challenges to enhance safety and security.

“We enjoin members of the public to continue to support the Nigerian Army, sister services and other security agencies in the ongoing fight against the nation’s adversaries,’’ he said.

(NAN)