Lagos: Over 50 suspected Boko Haram fighters were killed in a military operation by troops in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, the stronghold of the outlawed sect, authorities said on Monday.
Nigerian military spokesperson Chris Olukolade said troops in the northeast region also foiled an attack by suspected members of Boko Haram, Xinhua reported on Monday. "Troops conducting anti-terrorist campaign successfully averted attempted massive raids on villages in Borno and Adamawa states during the weekend. The terrorists who were on their way to attack selected communities were ambushed by troops along Bilta, Borno state on receiving intelligence report," said Olukolade.
The attack was launched as the terrorists filed out of the forest to embark on their mission on Saturday night. Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce gunfight that ensued, while 30 rifles, 36 hand grenades, seven machine guns and 11 rockets propelled grenade tubes were seized by the troops, the spokesman added. Four soldiers wounded in the operation were undergoing treatment.
Boko Haram, which has proved to be a major security threat in Nigeria since 2009, has killed hundreds of people in the last three months. More than 100 people were massacred in May.
Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is currently grappling with security challenges, one of which is the insurgency of Boko Haram, a sect which seeks to enforce the Islamic sharia law in the constitution.
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