Military kills 13 terrorists, loses officer in fresh offensive.

The 119 Task Force Battalion of 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri has killed 13 Boko Haram terrorists and lost an officer in a “ground and aerial bombardment” at Kangarwa in northern axis of Borno State.

Yesterday’s operation also led to recovery of arms and ammunition as well as destruction of two vehicles used by the suspected terrorists.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said: “The offensive which begun at about 4:00p.m. and lasted for about four hours, necessitated the troops calling for air support which the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) promptly responded by dispatching an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aerial and ground attack fighter aircraft.”

The Army spokesman also met with the media to boost the fight terrorism and other criminal activities in the country.

Also yesterday, a mock counter-terrorism exercise conducted by NAF at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) triggered panic among passengers and others in Lagos.

The training was code-named exercise Thunder Bolt.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubarkar, said the exercise was to reassure the public about its readiness.

In the meantime, the Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected killers of some naval officers in Bayelsa State recently.

The Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, told reporters yesterday in Asaba that the suspects were arrested at their hideout in Warri following a tip-off.

Their names were given as Okorotie Jakpany, 31 and and 25-year-old Jerome Fiye.

The police chief also paraded others for various offences. Those also arrested included Umaru, 19, Jibril Saidu, 25, Abdul Mohammed, 20, Usman Onga, 20, Isah Alli, 21, Useni Alli and Dahiru Usman, 21.

Two Soldiers Lost As Troops Intensify Offensive Against Boko Haram

Soldiers engaged in Operation Lafiya Dole on Friday sustained its ground and aerial offensive against the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in parts of the North-east, clearing land mines, destroying their camps and killing many in the process.
Unfortunately, they also lost two gallant soldiers with two others injured through landmines explosives planted by the retreating terrorists that have increasingly adopted guerilla tactics.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman in a statement yesterday confirmed that the troops have also liberated some towns and villages in Borno State.

As part of the continued offensive against the Boko Haram terrorists, Usman said troops of 7 Brigade have as at yesterday entered and cleared Gudumbali town in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

“During the operation, quite a number of the terrorists were killed; their weapons and equipment were destroyed. The troops are currently doing clearance operations in the general area,” he said.

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