Nigerian and Cameroonian troops are collaborating in fighting Boko Haram insurgents along the borders of the two countries, with massive clearance operations conducted on Monday yielding fruits.

A statement issued Tuesday by Sani Usman, spokesman for the Nigerian Army, said that 22 insurgents were killed while three of their commanders were arrested in joint clearance operations by troops from the two countries against 10 terrorist hideouts along the Nigerian – Cameroon border.

A total of 1,275 persons abducted by the insurgents were also rescued in the operation carried out by troops from Nigeria’s 152 and 155 Task Force Battalions and Cameroonian soldiers from the Multinational Joint Task Force MNJTF.

The army spokesman said that suspected terrorist commanders named as Lawal Abba, Mallam Hisna and Mallam Gana were captured in raids on Shatte, Bulla Jaja and Bula Burra towns.

“During the operation the troops cleared Nbaga, Bula, Dabube, Ybiri, Greya and Suduwa towns and other adjoining settlements. The towns and settlements were occupied by suspected fleeing Boko Haram terrorists who escaped from villages previously cleared by troops of the Nigerian Army,” Usman stated.

He added that the rescued persons were being screened by military authorities before being taken to Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps.

According to him, the troops on the two sides did not suffer any casualty in the operations.

In another development, Usman said that aerial bombardments and ground operations by Nigerian troops are forcing Boko Haram insurgents to flee their hideouts and strongholds in Sambisa Forest in droves.

The army has warned Nigerians to be vigilant and security conscious as the fleeing terrorists are moving to other parts of the country.

“The cowards are running away from their  well noted enclave in Sambisa forest for their lives. Consequently it becomes necessary to inform the public, especially well meaning Nigerians, to be more vigilant and security conscious. The public are please requested to be observant and report any suspicious persons or group of persons to the military or any of the security agencies   to enable timely detection and apprehension of the fleeing insurgents before they mingle with the society and commit havoc,” the army said in a statement.

It assured Nigerians that the authorities would treat as confidential any information provided on the terrorists, while restating its determination to rid the country of their activities.