TheCable

Troops of the Nigerian army have reportedly killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists in a gun battle at the axis of Banki in Bama LGA of Borno state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the troops from the army’s 151 task force battalion in a joint operation with civilian joint task force (CJTF) attached to operation Hadin Kai stormed the terrorists’ hideout at Gauri village on October 30.

The terrorists were said to also use their hideout to conceal rustled livestock.

“More than 15 of them were instantly killed,” a source who took part in the battle was quoted as saying.

“The terrorists were forced to withdraw with a large number of them suffering fatal injuries leaving behind several livestock rustled from people.”

The source said some terrorists who escaped and had called for reinforcement were also killed by the troops.

Two soldiers, however, were said to have been killed in the battle.

“The terrorists deployed additional men on motorcycles, but the troops swiftly engaged them and overwhelmed them after a heavy gun battle,” the source said.

“We killed additional seven of them in the battle that ensued and unfortunately, we lost two of our gallant military personnel and five others wounded while  pursuing the fleeing remnants of terrorists after the encounter.”

Onyema Nwachukwu, army’s spokesperson, was not immediately available to comment of the development.

the army has continued to intensify its efforts in fighting the terrorists.