Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-10-23 9:52:56
At least 37 Boko Haram fighters died in a coordinated air strike and ground raid by the Nigerian Army and Air Force on Monday, a military spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The troops in collaboration with Nigerian Air Force launched air and ground attack on the insurgents camp at Alagarno, eastern part of the northeast Borno State, killing at least 37 insurgents while many fled with wounds from gunshots, Captain Aliyu Danja, spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army told reporters in Maiduguri, the state capital.
"Based on available intelligence, troops of the 7 Division of Nigerian Army launched an attack on Boko Haram camp located in Alagarno," Danja said. The operation which commenced on Monday involved a coordinated ground and air assault by troops of 7 Division in conjunction with 79 Composite Group Nigerian Air Force Maiduguri destroyed the terrorists camp. A total of 37 terrorists were killed in the fire fight while several others fled with gunshot wounds, Danja said.
He said the military recovered arms and ammunition while it destroyed three operational vehicles and many motor cycles belonging to the insurgents in the camp.
According to him, troops from the army division have commenced currently aggressive patrols around the area to trace and destroy other Boko Haram elements for their terrorism act.
The military raid came barely 48 hours after more than 20 persons were killed by suspected members of Boko Haram in Borno State.
Last Tuesday, the Nigerian military announced the killing of 40 Boko Haram fighters in Borno State in operations against the insurgents, who were alleged to attempt coordinated attacks in the three remote towns of Bama, Gwoza and Pulka.
The Boko Haram sect has proved the biggest security threat in the West African country since launching the insurgency in 2009. It seeks to enshrine the Islamic sharia law into the constitution and declares war against the Western education.