Nigeria launches offensive on Boko Haram's Sambisa camp: spokesman

Government forces have commenced mop up operations to rout Boko Haram from Sambisa Forest, a camp known as one of their major hideouts in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, defense spokesman Chris Olukolade said Thursday.

According to the military mouthpiece, the government forces have gained control of the Sambisa camp of the Boko Haram, smoking the terrorists out of their hideout. The ongoing mop up operation commenced on Wednesday.

Ground troops, with support from air strikes, have intensified their attacks on the terrorist's den, Olukolade told reporters in the Nigerian capital Abuja, adding aggressive patrols, mopping up, as well as cordon and search, are also continuing in other locations in search for weapons and terrorists.

He said 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 Nigerian defense headquarters, on Wednesday, announced its foot soldiers had killed notorious top terrorists commander Abu Mojahid in the northern Borno State, where headquarters of the terror group is located.

The military headquarters said the operations, especially in forest locations, are progressing in defiance of obstacles and land mines emplaced by the terrorists. Endi