had died and 20 women and children had been rescued during a military
operation in Sambisa Forest in Borno State, on Friday.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information,
Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, on Saturday.
”Despite continuous encounter with large number of land mines, which still
litter the Sambisa Forest, troops have forged ahead with the ongoing
offensive operations as scores of the terrorists died in the assault on
their bases on Friday,” Olukolade said.
He said several of the terrorists’ weapons and equipment were destroyed
during the encounter.
According to him, over 10 soldiers were, however, wounded, while one died,
following explosions of land mines along the routes of advance.
He said some equipment were also damaged or affected by the detonation of
land mines in several points in the forest.
Olukolade added, ”A total of 20 women and children were rescued at the end
of the Friday operation.They have all been airlifted out of the forest.
”The wounded soldiers have also been moved out for necessary treatment.
”Two major ammunition dumps, maintained by the terrorists in the forest
were also destroyed, along with the four additional terrorists camps that
were smashed in the operation of Friday.”
He explained that an armoured tank and over 10 vehicles, of various types,
being used for terrorists operations as well as 70 motorcycles and 15
tricycles had also perished during the operation.
The Defence spokesman said air and artillery bombardment of identified
terrorists camps and locations in various parts of the forest, including
the Alafa aspect, were still ongoing as troops continued the offensive
against the terrorists.
Olukolade added that a cordon-and-search operation around Bitta, Borno
State, had been intensified following an incident, where two young boys
were wounded after picking up a grenade from a refuse dump.