Troop with the rescued hostages

The Nigerian Army said following confirmed intelligence report on the convergence and massing up of dislodged Boko Haram insurgents at Gangere village in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, with intent of carrying out attack on some isolated communities, troops on fighting and clearance patrol codenamed “Operation TIGER CLAW” on Tuesday swooped on the terrorists.

“During the ensuing operation, 42 Boko Haram terrorists were killed, while unconfirmed number of the insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds.

Similarly, 38 women and 42 children held captives were rescued from the insurgents. The women and children were taken to the military medical facility in Baga for checks. They were further assisted with  food and clothing,” Colonel Sani Usman, spokesperson for Nigerian Army said in a statement released on Wednesday.

He added that the patrol team also recovered 504 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 162 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 1 Land Cruiser Jeep, 34 Jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automated Gas Oil (AGO), while 55 Motorcycles were demobilized during the operation.

Colonel Usman, who is the acting director of Army Public Relations, also said suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists at the early hours of Wednesday attacked Bakin Dutse community in which they killed one person and injured 4 other persons.

He added that the terrorists took to their heels on arrival of troops.

The troops, according to him, have continued to patrol the general area with the hope of finding and apprehending the attackers.

Also, Colonel Usman said  troops on routine patrol in order to secure and make Kumshe-Banki road open, were ambushed by 4 suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

The troops, he said, engaged them and 3 of them died as a result of gunshot wounds.

The lone survivor, according to Col. Usman is currently being interrogated.

He added that the captured insurgent has been making very useful statements that are very revealing.