Nigerian Military kill 300 insurgents in Borno

Maiduguri residents hailing soldiers for repelling and killing about 300 insurgents in Konduga and Ngamdu in Borno State…on Wednesday

The military has recorded a major feat in its battle against the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram by killing no fewer than 300 insurgents in two Borno State communities.

One hundred and fifty of them were shot dead in Konduga, a town between Bama and     Maiduguri, while the remaining 150 were killed in Ngamdu, about 100 kilometres from the   state capital.

The military also captured one Armoured Personnel Carrier, three Hilux vans, and a cache of arms and ammunition from the insurgents.

Residents of Kodunga, who were impressed by the gallantry of the soldiers, trooped to the streets hailing the special forces for routing the militants.

The special forces had killed about 150 insurgents in Konduga barely six days ago.

A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, who put the number of insurgents killed by the soldiers in Ngamdu at 300, said he believed they (insurgents) were heading for Maiduguri for an attack on the city.

He said the soldiers from the Nigerian Army 7 Division in Maiduguri who were   stationed at Konduga and Ngamdu were assisted by   vigilance groups.

The source, who spoke on the phone with one of our correspondents on Wednesday afternoon, said, “As I am talking to you, the corpses of the insurgents are on the streets in the two towns.”

A vigilante,   Bashir Abbas,   said some militants were also   repelled   at Ajiri,   about 60 kilometres from Maiduguri and Mafa, which is 50 kilometres from the state capital on Tuesday night.

Some of the insurgents who were going to the scenes of the battle for reinforcement in four trucks were said to have escaped.

The Defence Headquarters, in a statement on its website on Wednesday, said the insurgents were on a mission to avenge the killing of their members on September 11 when they met their waterloo.

It however did not state if the special forces recorded any casualty during the incidents which began at about 6pm on Tuesday and ended 4am on Wednesday.

The DHQ statement added that the soldiers were carrying out a cordon and search operation to find out the exact number of casualty on the side of the insurgents.

It said, “Troops this(Wednesday) morning successfully crushed another attempt by terrorists who were on a revenge mission to Konduga after 12 hours of fighting on the outskirts of the Borno State community.

“Troops are now combing the vicinity, in a cordon and search operation to determine the heavy casualties suffered by the terrorists in the encounter.

“Meanwhile, three Hilux vans, one APC and a cache of arms and ammunition were confirmed captured by the troops.”

Similarly, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye, said in a statement on Wednesday that the insurgents were defeated in Konduga due to the vigilance of the troops.

Laleye   also said that “three Hilux vans with mounted machine and anti-aircraft guns, one Mowag APC and assorted arms and ammunition” were seized from the militants.

The Army spokesman said that the morale of the troops   was very high due to new strategies devised by the leadership of the Armed Forces.

He urged the public to continue to support the troops in the   counter-terrorism operation.

Laleye said, “It must be noted that the renewed morale, fighting spirit and combat efficiency of troops have been boosted by new strategies devised by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the support of well-meaning members of the public.

“Therefore, the Nigerian Army implores the public to continue to support the military and other security agencies engaged in the on-going operation to rid Nigeria of blood-letting insurgents and ruthless religious extremists.”