By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

As the military tries to rally its troops back to battle, following the shocking death over the weekend of Muhammad Abu Ali, a Lieutenant Colonel, who was killed on Friday in an ambush, some cheering news has come in about a major success against the insurgents.

According to the army, troops carried out some clearance operations in Chukungudu, a major, strategic location used by the insurgents around the Lake Chad Basin in the northern part of Borno State.

Significantly, the operation, which lasted from Friday to Saturday, was led by the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Victor Ezugwu, a Brigadier General, with troops from 3 Battalion under 22 Brigade.

Geram, Bulankassa and Chukungudu were all cleared, leading to the deaths of five insurgents and rescue of 85 people, mostly women and children.

Unfortunately, a soldier was killed during the exchange of fire.

“The troops recovered 4 rounds of Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, 1 Double Barrel Gun, 349 packets containing various rounds of ammunitions, 3 Magazines, a link belt of machine gun ammunition and 1 AK-47 rifle magazine,” a statement by army spokesperson, Sani Usman, a Colonel, said.

The troops also uncovered a bomb making factory at Geram, with several ready-made suicide vests. At Chukungudu, they discovered a spare part shop and a well equipped workshop where vehicles and motorcycles were repaired.

During the clearance operations, the troops made spectacular discovery of an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, making factory at Geram.

In the factory, they found several already primed suicide bombers’ vests.

They also discovered a well-equipped motor vehicles and motorcycles’ workshop and spare parts where house at Chukungudu village.

“The troops recovered 3 vehicles and several newly acquired motorcycles,” the army added.