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Nigeria calls Boko Haram militants to surrender after bombardment

Xinhua, October 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Nigerian government Wednesday said it had opened a window for Boko Haram members wishing to surrender to do so, after intensive bombardment at their Sambisa forest hideout in restive northeast state of Borno.

"We have conducted intensive bombardment that lasted more than eight days at the Sambisa forest and we have now opened a window for those wishing to surrender to do so," Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, told reporters in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Abubakar added the Nigerian Air Force target was to eliminate the terrorists and ensure the return of peace in the North East.

"Our aim is to restore the sanity of our people and to ensure that there is peace everywhere in the North East," he said.

Meanwhile, Nigerian troops killed two Boko Haram terrorists while on clearance patrol at Ladin Buta and Juwano villages in Jere area of Borno.

Spokesperson for the Army, Col. Sani Usman said the troops engaged the remnants of the terrorists, who were believed to be terrorizing the residents through wanton killings, kidnappings and armed robberies.

"During the exchange of fire, two Boko Haram terrorists were gunned down by the troops, while some escaped with gun shot wounds," he added.

The patrol team also recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazine, two fabricated 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, two mobile telephone handsets and a torchlight from the terrorists. Endit