The recently launched offensive by the multi-national task force against Boko Haram insurgents in the North east appears to be paying off as scores of Boko Haram members have been reportedly killed by the Chadian troops stationed at Gamboru town in Ngala local government area of Borno state.

Reports obtained from residents of Gamboru who fled to Maiduguri for refuge, revealed that the Chadian troops in Gamboru killed scores of Boko Haram insurgents in the town, arrested some while several Hilux vehicles and armoured personnel carriers were also recovered.

According to the residents, the insurgents had attempted an invasion of the Chadian troops’ base at Gamboru in the early hours of Wednesday morning. However they encountered a prepared and alert army who resisted the attack, killing many insurgents in the process.

In another success story, a joint operation between Nigerian troops and members of the youth vigilante commonly called Civilian JTF resulted in the arrest of 40 Boko Haram members who disguised as herdsmen near Ngom village of Mafa local government area of Borno state, in a bid to covertly gain entrance into Maiduguri.

According to one Ibrahim Garba, a member of the civilian JTF, the insurgents attempted to enter Maiduguri disguised but they were intercepted by youth vigilantes with the backing of Nigerian troops.

But elsewhere in the troubled region, gunmen suspected to be insurgents invaded Gajiganna market in Magumeri local government area of Borno state, killing seven persons.

Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri about the incident, a driver who gave his name as Muhammadu Isa stated that the gunmen arrived the market around 8:30 am on Tuesday when business was just starting for the day, opening fire indiscriminately on sellers and buyers, and killing seven persons.

“The terrorists carted away food stuffs such as beans, millet and other household materials, after killing and injuring several people. They left the market unchallenged,” the driver said.

According to Isa, a driver from Maiduguri was caught in the gunfire and was killed. However, he expressed surprise that trading at the market did not stop after the attack, stating that business went on as usual while volunteers took away the bodies of the dead.