Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The Nigerian army said its troops conducting anti-terrorists campaign in the Northeast successfully averted an attempted massive raid on villages in Borno and Adamawa states during the weekend, killing over 50 insurgents in the process.

Military spokesman, Chris Olukolade, a major general, said in a statement that the terrorists who were on their way to attack selected communities were ambushed by troops who had received intelligence report of the plot in Bilta, Borno state.

As the terrorists filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10pm on Saturday, the army swept in on them and launched a massive onslaught on them.

“Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued, while 30 rifles, 36 Hand Grenades, 7 Machine guns and 11 Rocket Propelled grenade tubes were captured by the troops,” Olukolade said.

Also recovered from the terrorists were over 3,500 rounds of ammunition, six smoke grenade canisters and locally fabricated guns as well as four vehicles used by the terrorists in the foiled attack.

Four soldiers who were wounded in the operation are currently receiving medical treatment in the military medical facility.