Troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole and the Multi-National Joint Task Force have shot dead at least 57 Boko Haram terrorists in Arege area of northern Borno State, during a gun battle. The Boko Haram insurgents, who were regrouping under trees in the area, were reportedly caught by an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform of the air component of Lafiya Dole, before the MNJTF troops opened fire on them. An undisclosed number of soldiers were reportedly injured during the encounter.

The Commander, Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole, Air Commodore Charles Ohwo, confirmed the incident, while briefing newsmen in Yola, Adamawa State. He added that clearance operations were ongoing in the Sambisa area, noting that adverse weather would be a challenge to troops during the rainy season.

He said, “In Arege village of northern Borno, on Monday, an ISR operation was carried out. We discovered that a lot of fleeing Boko Haram insurgents hid under trees and the adverse weather prevented us from taking them out in an air strike. So, we communicated with the MNJTF troops around the location. “In the fight which ensued, at least 57 Boko Haram members were killed by the MNJTF forces. Several arms and ammunition were also recovered from the insurgents.

“In Tagoshe and Gwoza hills, there were also indications that the Boko Haram terrorists had hideouts and we mobilised the ISR platform to the place. We, thereafter, conducted air interdiction and blew up the terrorists. We will continue to monitor all these areas.”

On the Rann accidental bombing on Tuesday, the commander noted that NAF authorities would reach out to the victims of the incident and their families, as soon as the NAF panel set up to investigate the incident unveiled its findings.

The Punch