The Nigerian Army yesterday confirmed the killing of 40 Boko Haram insurgents in fresh counter-insurgency operations to forestall planned attacks by the armed sect in Borno State.
Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations (DDAPR) of 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja in a statement in Maiduguri said troops from the division foiled attempts by the insurgents to attack Bama, Gwoza and Pulka towns.
“Troops of Army Division 7 of the Nigerian Army have foiled yet another attack by Boko Haram terrorists aimed at inflicting havoc on Borno State prior to Sallah festivities,” he stated.
Bama is located east of Borno State while Gwoza Local Government Area is in the southern part of the state with Pulka town in the same local government.
Danja said the number of the insurgents that planned the purported attacks was not known even as he said the sect attempted “coordinated simultaneous attacks on Bama, Gwoza and Pulka towns in Borno State on the night of Sunday, October 13, 2013.”
He said soldiers from the division in anticipation however “successfully repelled all the attacks killing 40 terrorists in the three locations while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.”
He said the security forces also destroyed a pick-up vehicle loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) meant for destruction of Bama town during the encounter. He also disclosed that the Air Force in collaboration with ground troops routed out some Boko Haram members at Kilani general area.
From TIMOTHY OLANREWAJU, Maiduguri
