Nigerian army say 100 terrorists 'killed' in repelled attack

The Nigerian army said 100 terrorists were killed early Wednesday in the northeastern state of Yobe.

A statement signed by spokesman of the Nigerian army, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said fleeing Boko Haram fighters made a futile attempt on troops in Goniri area, Yobe, one of three provinces mostly attacked by the terror group.

Seven soldiers were, however, killed by the terrorists as troops successfully repelled the attack.

Eight other soldiers were wounded in action, the army statement said.

The Nigerian army said after repelling the attack, troops recovered a sizable arms, ammunition and other equipment, including one general purpose machine gun, two rocket propelled grenades, nine AK-47 rifles and belted rounds of 7.62 (NATO) ammunition, from the terrorists.

Two weeks ago, more than 200 Boko Haram fighters surrendered to Nigerian troops in Banki area of the neighboring northeastern state of Borno, a strategic town which was recently retaken from the terrorists.

The army, in an effort to end the six-year Boko Haram insurgency, said it is advancing on the Sambisa forest -- the terror group's stronghold.

It claims to have routed the insurgents in different towns and communities in the northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in the last few weeks.

In a related development, Nigerian troops in Bama and Ngurosoye axis of the neighboring Borno State have discovered and exhumed improvised explosive devices belonging to Boko Haram, the army headquarters said.

More terrorist camps were also destroyed during an operation on Tuesday, the army headquarters added.

Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden", has killed over 13,000 people and abducted hundreds since starting its operations in 2009. Endit