The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of 42 Boko Haram insurgents during a clearance operation at Garere village in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman.
Usman also said that 80 hostages comprising 38 women and 42 children were rescued during the operation late Tuesday evening.
He said the operation followed an intelligence report on the convergence and massing up of the insurgents in the area.
He said the intelligence report indicated that the insurgents were planning attacks on communities in the area.
“The operation tagged “Operation TIGER CLAW” followed a confirmed intelligence report on the convergence and massing up of dislodged Boko Haram terrorists at Garere village in Kukawa.
“The intent was to carry out attacks on some isolated communities but troops on fighting and clearance patrol Code-named “Operation TIGER CLAW” on Tuesday swooped on the terrorists.
“During the operation, 42 Boko Haram terrorists were killed, while unconfirmed number of the insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Similarly, 38 women and 42 children held captives were rescued from the insurgents,“he said.
Usman said the women and children were taken to the military medical facility in Baga for checks.
He said the patrol team also recovered 504 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition; 162 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition; one Land Cruiser Jeep; 34 Jerry cans of PMS and AGO.
Usman said 55 Motorcycles used by the insurgents were also demobilised during the operation.
He said the troops had continued to intensify vigilance and maintained high level of alertness to clear the remnants of the terrorists in their area of responsibilities.
In a related development, Usman said suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists had in the early hours of Wednesday attacked Bakin Dutse community in which they killed one person and injured four other persons.
Usman added that troops on routine patrol to secure and make Kumshe-Banki road open, were ambushed by four suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
He said the troops engaged them and three of them died as a result of gunshot wounds and the lone survivor was currently being interrogated.