The troops of Operation Fire Ball have killed 16 Boko Haram/Islamic States for West Africa Province terrorists in recent encounters in the North East theatre of operation.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

The statement was titled ‘Operation Lafiya Dole: Troops of operation fire ball neutralise several bandits, destroy gun trucks, recover large cache of arms and other items’.

Onyeuko said that four terrorists’ gun trucks were destroyed as well as recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunitions during the various encounters.

The statement read in part, “On 21 October 2020 troops of Special Response Area Gajiram deployed at Check Point three under Sector three decisively dealt a heavy blow on BHT/ISWAP criminal elements.

“The eagle-eyed troops who were on alert noticed unusual vehicles following the convoy of vehicles conveying Internally Displaced Persons from Maiduguri Cosmopolitan City to Baga town in order to infiltrate own position.

“The troops canalised the criminals and inflicted heavy casualty on them. After the ensuing firefight three Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised.

“In a related development, troops of Army Super Camp Magumeri decimated several Boko Haram terrorists who attacked the location. After the fierce encounter, 11 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised.

“Similarly, On 24 October 2020, the gallant troops of Army Super Camp located at Mallam Fatori routed elements of Boko Haram/ ISWAP criminal elements who attacked their location. After the fierce battle two Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised, others escaped with gunshot wounds as traces of blood of dragged casualties by the criminals were seen during exploitation.”

The defence assured populace of the North-East zone of the determination of the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria “to finally rout out the remnants of the BHT/ISWAP criminals from their enclaves”.

By Sodiq Oyeleke