Despite Landmines, Military Kill Scores of Terrorists in Sambisa

Despite repeated encounter with land mines which still litter the Sambisa forest, the Nigerian military forged ahead in the ongoing offensive operations in the North -east, killing scores of the terrorists in an assault on their bases at the weekend.

As a result, about 20 women and children were rescued on the process from the fleeing terrorists.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade in a statement yesterday said several of the terrorists’ weapons and equipment perished after the encounter.

Olukolade however confirmed that over 10 soldiers were wounded, while one died following explosions of land mines along the routes of advance. He disclosed that some equipment were also damaged or affected by the detonation of land mines in several points in the forest. According to him, “a total of 20 women and children were rescued at the end of the Friday operation. They have all been airlifted out of the forest. The wounded soldiers have also been moved out for necessary treatment”.

The Defence Spokesman also disclosed that the two major ammunition dumps maintained by the terrorists in the forest were also destroyed, along with the four additional terrorists’ camps that were smashed in the operation of Friday.

He further stated that an armoured tank and over 10 vehicles of various types being used for their operations as well as 70 motorcycles and 15 tricycles of the terrorists also perished during the operation.