Nigerian troops kill 42 Boko Haram insurgents

At least 42 Boko Haram insurgents were killed during a clearance operation at Garere village in restive northeast Nigeria's state of Borno, the Nigerian Army said Thursday.

Some 80 hostages comprising 38 women and 42 children were rescued during the operation late Tuesday evening, the Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement made available to Xinhua.

He said the operation followed an intelligence report on the convergence and massing up of the insurgents in the area.

He said the intelligence report indicated that the insurgents were planning attacks on communities in the area.

Usman said the women and children were taken to the military medical facility in Baga for checks.

According to him, the patrol team also recovered 504 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition; 162 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition; one Land Cruiser Jeep; 34 Jerry cans of PMS and AGO.

Usman said 55 Motorcycles used by the insurgents were also demobilized during the operation.

He said the troops had continued to intensify vigilance and maintained high level of alertness to clear the remnants of the terrorists in their area of responsibilities.

In a related development, Usman said troops have arrested a suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.

The Army spokesperson said the suspect was arrested at Molai check point in the outskirt of Maiduguri at about 8 a.m, local time on Tuesday.

He added that the suspect was arrested with a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of petrol and other goods cleverly covered in cartons.

Usman said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had for long engaged in supply of fuel and other goods to terrorists in Sambisa.

According to him, authorities in the region had banned the purchase and transportation of petrol in containers in Borno and its environs.

He said both suspects and the exhibits had been handed over to Joint Interrogation Center for further investigation. Endit