Nigerian troops combating Boko Haram militants have killed notorious top terrorists commander Abu Mojahid during a gun battle at Alagarno.
Alagarno is the closest major town to the infamous Sambisa forest in northern Nigeria’s Borno State.
Director of Defence Information, Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Major General Chris Olukolade, in a statement on Wenesday, said the commander and other terrorists had staged a daring attack on troops who were on patrol on the outskirts of Alagarno area on Tuesday morning.
“A notorious top terrorists commander, Abu Mojahid, was among the terrorists that died in their encounter with troops in the outskirt of Alagarno, Tuesday morning. The terrorists had staged a daring attack on troops who were on patrol of the area”, Olukolade said.
“Some Rocket Propelled Grenades as well as vehicle mounted Anti-Aircraft guns were either captured or destroyed in the encounter”, he revealed .
The Defence spokesman also stated that aggressive patrols, mopping up as well as cordon and search are also continuing in the other locations in search for weapons and terrorists.
Olukolade also noted that improvised explosive devices planted by the terrorists to deter the comprehensive offensive by the advancing troops are also being carefully cleared as troops continue to pursue fleeing ones.
“The operations especially in forest (Sambisa) locations are progressing in defiance of obstacles and land mines emplaced by the terrorists”, he said.
He said a number of terrorists died as the troops repelled the attack, adding that some Rocket Propelled Grenades as well as vehicle mounted Anti-Aircraft guns were either captured or destroyed in the encounter.
Olukolade said the military operations are continuing in the form of offensive action on identified terrorists in some forest locations.
He said aggressive patrols, mopping up as well as cordon and search are also continuing in the other locations in search for weapons and terrorists.
The military spokesperson said the operations especially in forest locations are progressing in defiance of obstacles and land mines emplaced by the terrorists.
