Nigerian military yesterday said its troops are now penetrating deep into Sambisa forest, where they have destroyed more Boko Haram camps and recovered dead bodies of insurgents and weapons. A statement through the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, said troops of 21 Brigade, 7 Division, were part of those who launched offensive into the forest on Sunday to smoke out terrorists still hiding in it. Usman said the troops cleared four villages in the terrorists’ enclave which include Bala Karege, Goske, Harda and the famous Markas 3. He said there was no encounter with the terrorists in all the villages as the Boko Haram members had abandoned their huts and ran away.

“Unfortunately, the troops ran into an ambush at Harda village, while advancing. “The resilient troops successfully cleared the ambush without any casualty and proceeded with the operations. “The formation recovered suicide vests and quite a number of high calibre weapons which include one rocket propelled grenade, RPG, bombs, 18 rounds of 23mm Shilka ammunition, one barrel of AK-47 rifle, one extrabarrel of general purpose machine gun, GPMG, three AK-47 rifle magazines, metal link of 12.7mm ammunition and a heavy-duty solar panel battery. “The troops also recovered 10 vehicles and 50 motorcycles belonging to the fleeing terrorists,” he said.

In a related development, the Army spokesman said Boko Haram terrorists from another part of Sambisa forest, were reported to have taken advantage of the heavy downpour that occurred to move closer to the troops. However, he added that the troops were very vigilant as they decisively and successfully dealt with the intruders. So far, he said: “Two vehicles were recovered from Boko Haram terrorists and over eight Boko Haram terrorists’ bodies were counted before nightfall. “Meanwhile, the troops were exploiting aftermath of the attack by Boko Haram terrorists on their location last night in Sambisa forest despite inclement climatic conditions.”