Boko Haram: Soldiers kill 9, six wounded

• Destroy another bomb-making factory in Borno, storm Sambisa

From Molly Kilete,Abuja and Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

THE Nigerian Army said yesterday, its soldiers on counter terrorism operation in Borno State destroyed another bomb-making fac­tory, belonging to Boko Haram.

The factory located at Ngala town, was discovered by soldiers of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade of Operation Lafiya Dole on security op­eration to rout terrorists in the area.

Items recovered from the Improvised Explosive De­vice factory (IED) were 20 gas cylinders of various siz­es prepared and ready for explosive insertion, prim­ers, gun powder, electric wires and tape recorders, amongst other items.

The army said the de­struction of the factory would greatly reduce in­cessant cases of explosion by the terrorists who have continued to attack inno­cent citizens, military and soft targets through vehicu­lar and human borne Im­provised Explosive Devices (IED).

The army, in a statement, noted that despite its of­fensive operation to clear remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, “those arrested have continued to keep the location of the IED manu­facturing factory a secret until it was discovered by soldiers.”

In a related development, the army said its soldiers killed nine terrorists in what it described as a “pre-emp­tive strike” to foil a planned attack by the terrorists on the military and civilians at Wunbi in Kala Balge Local Government area of Borno state.

The army also said six soldiers, who sustained gunshot injuries during the operation were successfully evacuated for medical at­tention and are responding to treatment.

The pre-emptive attack, according to the army, was carried out following intel­ligence report about the attack and the location of the terrorists adding that it was While on a patrol that the troops encountered the terrorists at Tatakura vil­lage 20km South West of Wumbi.”

It says “There was heavy exchange of fire at the end of which 9 Boko Haram ter­rorists were killed.

“Troops captured three AK-47 rifles, one Fab­rique Nationale rifle, one General Purpose Machine Gun, a 60mm Mortar Tube, one Rocket Propelled Gre­nade, seven (RPG 7) Tube, one G3-Machine Gun and seven Fabrique Nationale Magazines..

In another development, the military has commenced offensive operation on Sam­bisa, a known Boko Haram stronghold and operational base of the group in the cen­tral part of Borno State.

Commander of Opera­tion Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen Lucky Irabor, yesterday, told newsmen that based on recent successes of the mili­tary operations in the North East, troops were already in the insurgents’ stronghold.

“Troops are deep into the forest of Sambisa now to fish out Boko Haram,” Gen Irabor said in Maiduguri yesterday.

He, however, did not give further details, saying the operation is still ongoing.

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