Nigerian troops repel Boko Haram attack in Sambisa forest

Nigerian troops combating Boko Haram terrorists repelled an early morning attack by the terrorists while on harbor inside the Sambisa forest, a military spokesperson has said.

In a statement made available to Xinhua on Sunday, Col. Sani Usman, the Army spokesman, said the troops comprised elements of 21 Brigade and the Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF) on "Operation Crack Down".

Usman said the troops while on harbor for refitting, came under Boko Haram terrorists attack at about 1:45 a.m. local time on Saturday.

He said the troops followed up the attack with mopping up operations of the general area before advancing further into the forest.

Usman said two corpses of the attackers, two AK-47 rifles, two Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, five rifle magazines, mortar bombs and belts of Machine Gun rounds were recovered from the terrorists.

He added that five soldiers were wounded as a result of mortar fired into the harbor area by the Boko Haram terrorists and were evacuated to the rear for treatment.

Usman also said troops operating deep inside the Sambisa forest have arrested one of the Boko Haram leaders, declared wanted by the military.

According to him, the suspect was arrested at about 1.35 p.m. local time on Friday by troops of 143 Battalion.

He said the suspect was moved to 28 Task Force Brigade Headquarters for further investigation.

Usman said troops of 21 Brigade have intensified clearance operations at Yerimari, while troops of 22 Task Force Brigade Garrison have also embarked on patrols along Dikwa-Mafa-Maiduguri road.

Usman said a number of clearances and mop up operations were ongoing simultaneously across the theater to rid the general area of the presence of the insurgents.

He said due to increased security, the theater had witnessed increased humanitarian activities by various government and non-governmental agencies. Endit