Gov't forces kill more Boko Haram commanders in military operation: spokesman

Government forces have killed more Boko Haram field commanders in a military operation carried out in Sambisa Forest, one of the major camps of the group in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, an official said Thursday.

Although he was not specific with the number of Boko Haram commanders killed in the military operation, Col. Sani Usman, spokesman of the Nigerian army, said several of them were shot dead as troops destroyed the terror group's training camp in Sambisa Forest.

In a terse statement made available to Xinhua, the army spokesman said foot soldiers also rescued additional women and children during the raid carried out less than 24 hours after the Nigerian military announced it rescued nearly 300 females in the forest.

All the rescued females, the official said, have been evacuated to a safety zone for "further processing".

However, during the offensive launched in the terrorists' camp, Usman added, Nigeria lost a soldier while four others were wounded in action. He said ammunition and armored vehicles were also recovered from the terrorists.

Local security experts said Nigeria's counter-terrorism campaign in the northeastern region of the country has gradually yielded fruitful results as the troops intensify their operation in routing the terrorists.

Former vice president of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar described it as a "welcome development", but urged the military to be steadfast in their operations until all abducted Nigerians have been rescued and territories recaptured. Endi