BORNO: 7 Terrorists Killed By Own Explosives, 8 Others Crippled

At least seven Boko Haram insurgents have been killed while eight others were injured after their vehicle ran into Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) they planted for Nigerian troops in Lamba’a forest along Jakana-Mainok road in Borno.

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Army operations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, disclosed this on Sunday.

Iliyasu said, “the incident was a clear case that can be best described as a tactical boomerang as a Toyota Sam Sahara model belonging to the terrorists stepped on an IED they planted against troops in the area.’’

The spokesperson also revealed that Nigerian troops busted a syndicate that specialises in smuggling smoked fish from the Lake Chad region for sale in some parts of the country.

According to Iliyasu, the army suspects that the syndicate uses proceeds from sales of the smoked fish procure food stuff, groceries, drugs, toiletries, vehicle spare parts and other items for the terrorists.

“Relatedly, troops of Sector 3 Operation Lafiya Dole, while acting on intelligence, raided the residence of some suspected illegal fish smugglers near Water Board Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

“Four suspects were arrested and 16 sacks of smoked fish concealed in a room were recovered.

“In a similar operation conducted by troops of Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole on Oct. 10 intercepted nine vehicles loaded with smoked fish consignments at Bukarti in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe en-route Hadejia in Jigawa.

“Consequently, 18 suspects including drivers, conductors, mechanics and agents were also apprehended,” he said.

Iliyasu said troops of ‘Operation Positive Identification’ also arrested one Musa Ishaku in possession of a fake Nigeria Customs ID card at a check point along Baga road. 

In Kaduna, he said that troops of 1 Division rescued four kidnapped students from bandits at Gurmi Village in Chikun Local Government Area of the state after exchange of fire with the bandits.

“In Rivers State, troops of 16 Brigade Garrison raided a suspected Sea Pirates Camp at Tingibibi Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state.

“The suspected sea pirates, who obviously could not withstand the overwhelming fire power of the troops, fled the enclave in disarray.

“Items recovered from the camp include one AK47 Rifle magazine, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three cartridges, one binocular and three para red rocket.

“In the same vein, troops neutralised one armed robber during an anti-robbery operation at Adipet Filling Station along Rukuba Road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau.

“Others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Similarly, following confessional statements made by a notorious bandit/kidnap kingpin, named Yellow, troops of 3 Brigade tracked and arrested one of his gang members, Dahiru Dogo in Falgore Forest in Kano State,” he said.