Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists and rescued abducted victims in recent encounters in the Lake Chad Basin region.

The spokesman for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke stated this in a statement on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Chad.

The troops of MNJTF Sector 4 in Niger, while on patrol along Kara–Diffa Road on January 9, intercepted four people suspected to be Boko Haram/ISWAP logisticians conveying about 1,000 litres of fuel, according to the statement.

It explained that the fuel was concealed in plastic bags inside a Toyota Highlander and was transported from Maine Soroa to the Lake Chad Islands, possibly to suspected terrorists.

The MNJTF added that N650,000 was recovered hidden in the vehicle, saying that suspects and exhibits were in the custody of MNJTF Sector 4 for further investigations.

The statement also mentioned that the troops of Sector 3 (Nigeria), on Wednesday, repelled an attempted infiltration by the Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals due to superior firepower.

It stated that two terrorists were killed at the end of the encounter, and one rocket-propelled grenade, seven bombs, two 60mm mortar bombs, 36 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, seven mortar chargers and two wooden canoes were recovered.

“Similarly, on Sunday, (an) unspecified number of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists also attempted to infiltrate Monguno in MNJTF Sector 3 (Nigeria) in the early hours of the morning but met the gallant and alert troops,” said the statement. “Troops engaged the criminals in a firefight, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. The unrelenting troops pursued and engaged the criminals along their withdrawal routes, neutralising three criminals while many fled with gunshot wounds.”

The troops seized one AK-47 rifle and two magazines after a gunfight with the terrorists, “regrettably, a soldier paid the supreme sacrifice.”

It added that five young men suspected to have been abducted were “rescued by the troops, while five brand new boxer motorcycles were also captured from the terrorists during the encounter.”

The MNJTF statement further said 70 terrorists surrendered to troops of Sector 4 MNJTF (Niger) and troops of Sector 1 (Cameroon). The surrendered terrorists “would be treated in line with standard procedures for such surrenders,” including interrogation and profiling “by the relevant authorities.”

(NAN)