The Nigerian Army announced on Sunday that it had killed 29 Boko Haram members in several villages in Borno State and rescued 72 people. The army said two soldiers were injured during the operations after they stepped on a mine planted by the terrorists and a civilian accompanying the army fell off a moving security vehicle and was also injured.
The operations were carried out by troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, 21 brigades, and troops of 114 Task Force Battalion, 28 Task Force Brigade, said Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Acting Director Army Public Relations.
He said: “Troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, 21 Brigade have also cleared remnants of Boko Haram terrorists from three villages in Iza general area, killing 25 Boko Haram terrorists and recovered some weapons. The cleared villages were Mballeri, Shuari 1 and Shuari 2.
“In addition, the troops also rescued 18 persons held captive by the terrorists. They comprised of 2 men, 7 women and 9 children. The rescued persons have been moved to the Brigade’s headquarters for further screening and care.
“Unfortunately, one Civilian JTF accompanying the troops felt off a vehicle and sustained some injuries. He has however since been evacuated to the unit’s Regimental Aid Post for medical treatment and he is in stable condition”.
He added: “Troops of 114 Task Force Battalion, 28 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with some vigilantes in their area of operation, have carried out clearance operation of reported remnants of Boko Haram terrorists along Bita-Madube Ciki-Njubul axis.
“During the advance, 2 soldiers unfortunately stepped on a buried Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that seriously injured one of the soldiers.
“Nevertheless, the troops continued the advance and had contact with the terrorists and cleared them out of Madube Cikin, killing 4 insurgents, destroying 2 vehicles and 2 motorcycles belonging to the terrorists”.
He said the troops also “recovered 2 cylinders, 1 AK-47 rifle, 3 boxes of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 2 bicycles and bags of grains and rescued 54 persons held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists”.
“The released hostages are being screened while the wounded soldiers have since been evacuated for proper medical care,” Colonel Usman added.