The troops of the Nigerian Army have killed an
unspecified number of insurgents during a fierce
battle in Gwoza, Borno State.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani
Usman, said in an electronic mail on Wednesday that
the insurgents were fleeing the Sambisa Forest due
to aerial bombardment by the fighter pilots of the
Nigerian Air Force.

Usman said that the insurgents were fleeing in seven
pick-ups with motorcycles ‘mounted with assorted
weapons such as rocket propelled grenades and anti-
aircraft guns’ when they ran into the encounter with
the troops in Gwoza.

Usman, who did not disclose the exact number of the
insurgents killed in the operation, said that the
troops destroyed the vehicles and weapons and also
recovered some items from them.

According to him, the items recovered include a
vehicle, one motorcycle and two AK 47 rifles and
large quantities of 7.62mm NATO and 12.7mm
ammunition.’

He stated further that the troops were carrying out
aggressive offensives and patrol activities in the area.

He said, “Troops of 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza,
Borno State, yesterday evening engaged Boko Haram
terrorists fleeing Sambisa Forest following continued
aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Air Force.

“The fleeing terrorists in seven pick-ups and some
motorcycles mounted with assorted weapons such as
rocket propelled grenades and anti-aircrtaft guns
were decisively dealt with, killing quite a number of
them.

“The troops also destroyed their vehicles, weapons
and motorcycles. They also recovered a vehicle, one
motorcycle and two AK47 rifles and large quantities
of 7.62mm NATO and 12.7mm ammunition.

The troops have intensified their patrols and
offensive actions against the terrorists in the area.”

Also, the Director of Public Relations and Information
of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Dele
Alonge, said in an electronic mail on Wednesday that
the Air Force had intensified the strafing of the
Sambisa Forest.

He said that the Air Force deployed F-7 fighter aircraft
for the bombardment of the forest while the Alpha
jet which was deployed in reconnaissance hit some
of the moving vehicles of the insurgents.

Alonge added that the ATR-42 and Diamond-142
surveillance aircraft had been involved in
surveillance operations over Damasak, Alafis and
Sambisa.

“Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has intensified
the aerial bombardments of Sambisa forest. The F-7
fighter aircraft carried out interdiction mission over
designated targets and suspected Boko Haram
locations.

“Also, the Alpha Jet carried out reconnaissance and
attacked some moving vehicles belonging to BHT.

While, the Mi -24 and Mi-35 attack helicopters further
carried out interdiction mission at some identified
targets all in Sambisa Forest,” he said.