Information from the Nigerian military on Friday has it that not less than 40 insurgents and four soldiers were killed in a gunfightbetween the sect and soldiers in Bulanbuli, Sambisa Forest.
The military also said 4 soldiers were killed in the battle with the terrorists, believed to be members of the Boko Haram.
The Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Chris Olukolade, in a statement said the battle was caused by the arrest of suspected leaders of the sect.
“The capture of a number of terrorists believed to be the ringleaders of those operating around Alagarmo, has sparked off a major fight in the outskirts of Bulanbuli, Borno State last night,” Mr. Olukolade, a Major General, said. “Over 40 terrorists died in the encounter while 4 soldiers lost their lives and 9 were wounded.”
The spokesperson said “more than 16 rifles and a substantial number of assorted calibres of ammunitions, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) materials, SIM Cards and electronic items have so far been recovered.”
Mr. Olukolade said, “Two of the terrorists were earlier arrested at a local market two days ago while trying to procure foodstuff while others were spying on the military base in the area. Others still being trailed include a terrorist medic who was on a mission to procure drugs for use by his colleagues.”
He explained that Bulanbuli is between Alagarmo and Sambisa Forest “where the terrorists have been attempting to establish a stronghold in their campaign.”
