TheCable

Sani Usman, army spokesman, on Sunday said superior firepower of the military forced some Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state to run into the Lake Chad water.

He said the sect lost five of its men in the “fierce encounter”, and that 85 captives were set free.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Usman said the operation, which was led by Victor Ezugwu, a brigadier general, led to the destruction of camps in Geram, Bulankassa and Chukungudu, some communities believed to be strongholds of the insurgents.

“The manoeuvring brigade led by 3 battalion of  22 brigade, successfully cleared Geram, Bulankassa and Chukungudu believed to be the Boko Haram terrorists strongholds in that area,” Usman said.

“The gallant troops rescued 85 people, comprising of mostly women and children held hostage by insurgents.

“The troops recovered  four rounds of Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, one Double Barrel Gun, 349  packets containing various rounds of ammunition, three magazines, a link belt of machine gun ammunition and one AK-47 rifle magazine.

“In the factory, they found several already primed suicide bombers’ vests. They also discovered a well equipped motor vehicles and motorcycles’ workshop and spare parts warehouse at Chukungudu village.

“The troops recovered three vehicles and several newly acquired motorcycles. Unfortunately, a soldier died during the encounter.”