Nigerian forces kill 40 terrorists in military operation: spokesman

Nigerian security forces have killed 40 Boko Haram terrorists in an operation carried out in the northeastern state of Borno, a military spokesperson said on Friday.

The West African country's Army spokesman Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman said in a statement reaching Xinhua that the terrorists also lost a number of weapons, equipment and several other assorted ammunition.

He added that troops would continue to clear more terrorists camps in the northeastern state of Borno as offensive operations against Boko Haram continued in the region.

"The troops are in high spirits because of the success of the operation coupled with the fact that there was no casualty or injury on the part of the troops," he added.

"Operations to clear all known Boko Haram terrorists camps and hideouts are ongoing as troops remain committed to the clearance and apprehension of the Boko Haram terrorists in the country," the military spokesperson said.

Nigerian forces have recently been carrying out aggressive patrols and surveillance by land and air in Borno State and the entire northeast region where the Boko Haram launched more deadly attacks since 2009.

Boko Haram, a local insurgent group seeking an end to Western education, has allegedly killed more than 13,000 people and abducted hundreds since it started its operations in 2009. Endit