The Nigerian army yesterday said over 100 Boko Haram terrorists were killed in an attempt to invade a military base in Goniri, Yobe State.

Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, said the insurgents made a futile attempt on the 120 Task Force Battalion troops located at Goniri.

He said the attack was carried out by fleeing terrorists “in a great sign of desperation and to create an impression that they remain relevant.”

He added that during the encounter troops successfully repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualty on the invading terrorists as all of them were killed.

“On the last count over 100 terrorists bodies were seen. Unfortunately however, seven of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while defending our fatherland, while one officer and 8 soldiers were wounded in action,” Colonel Usman stated.

He said the troops recovered a sizeable number of arms, ammunitions and other equipment from the terrorists.
These he said included 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenades, 9 AK-47 rifles and Belted rounds of 7.62 (NATO) ammunitions.

Others were various wires used for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 7 Primed IEDs, different types of Spanners and a Torch Light.

He said troops had consolidated on the encounter and were more determined to defend their location and continued to serve as blocking force to any fleeing terrorists from the Nigerian Air Force aerial bombardments and artillery fire.

He also said troops of 21 Brigade on fighting patrol from Bama to Ngurosoye, destroyed Boko Haram terrorists camps along the axis.

Usman added that while on patrol, the soldiers came across some terrorists’ hideouts that also served as fabricating area for IEDs and terrorists’ training area.

He said another patrol team along Bama-Kawuri axis discovered and exhumed IEDs and wires for detonation.