Mar. 25, 2014
The Defence Headquarters has said security forces prevented terrorist attack on communities around Bama and Ngurosoye in Borno state.
A statement by Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said, “Troops on patrol during the weekend dislodged a band of terrorists who were about to attack some settlements in the outskirt of Bama and Ngurosoye.”
He said 18 terrorist were killed in the clash. 16 burnt AK 47 rifles were found in the debris while 5 Pickup vehicles, 7 Gulf cars and one Hillux truck were destroyed.
General Olukolade said, a total of 75 villagers were screened and released in the course of cordon and search in the adjoining communities.
He noted that an alleged bomb attack on a market in the area as reported in the media is yet to be verified.
Olukolade also said 16 AK47 rifles have been recovered in the course of cordon and search of communities, during related counter insurgency operations.
He explained that mop up operations are ongoing on Mandara Mountains and Haraza hills.
“Troops eventually overran camps in the outskirts of Gombole, Mele, Kecheri, Dufrfada, Yuwe, and others around Mandara mountains and Sambisa forests after stiff resistance,” Olukolade said.
“Many terrorists died in the encounter, while a soldier lost his life and five others were wounded,” he added.
The Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has also stepped up patrols of the banks of Lake Chad as well as surrounding communities in addition to air surveillance and patrols designed to smoke out the remnants of the terrorists, the Defence headquarters statement said.
Olukolade further said, air raids on some camps sited on Islands have also recorded successes in dislodging the terrorists located there.
He said, cordon and search for the terrorists have also been focused on screening of the villagers in surrounding communities.
