Image: Cache of weapons seized from Boko Haram members
Boko Haram terrorists numbering over 30 were sliced down in a gun duel with the Nigerian troops at the border villages of Kirchinga/Imirs villages of Madagali local government area of Adamawa state.
An eye witness source revealed that the troops were assisted by local vigilantes in the wee hours of Sunday.
According to the source, the troops had laid ambush for the insurgents between the border villages, which came under attacks of recent leading to the killing of several residents.
A member of civilian JTF detailed in the affected areas, said that following intelligence report about the movement of the Boko Haram fighters, an ambush was laid, which resulted in the killing of many of them.
“Following information about the movements of the Boko Haram we got, we decided to lay an ambush in the early hours of Sunday. Our efforts yielded results as we succeeded in killing over 30 of the insurgents after a fierce gun duel.
“We confiscated many weapons from the invading terrorists including AK 47 assault rifles, double barrel, bows and arrows and other dangerous weapons,” said the source.
The onslaught against the insurgents followed increased attacks on parts of Madagali local government leading to the death of three soldiers and the abduction of one senior military officer alongside his operational vehicle.
Another vigilante operative had also said that Boko Haram insurgents had disguised as local vigilante operatives in the process, killing unsuspecting residents and soldiers.
“The insurgents who disguised as local vigilante mounted road blocks across the highway and pretended to be carrying out routine checks.
“The soldiers were lured into the booby trap of the insurgents who immediately swooped on them and killed three soldiers and abducted one of the soldiers” the source said.
In Kirchinga village in Madagali local government of the state, reports had earlier indicated that a fierce gun duel had ensued between Nigerian troops and Boko Haram insurgents, who launched attack on the village on Saturday afternoon.
Efforts to reach the Army’s PRO for comments as at the time of filing this report proved abortive as his numbers were not responding.
By Tom Garba, Yola