TROOPS AMBUSH ‘RELOCATING’ BOKO HARAM INSURGENTS IN BORNO

Gallant troops of the 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion, 25 Brigade yesterday ambushed suspected Boko Haram militants escaping from the Sambisa forest to Fulawani village in Borno State, the Nigerian Army said.

A statement issued by the army spokesman, Sani Usman, said the militants were trying to link up with members and their families and relocate to other places when they were intercepted.

Mr. Usman, a colonel, said the troops got information and intercepted them, noting that during screening and interrogation, it was confirmed that they were the terrorists’ advance party relocating to a new safe haven following intense operations by troops.

“The troops sprang a surprise ambush on the group of escaping terrorists from Sambisa forest crossing towards Alagarno on motorcycles and bicycles, killing five of them and recovering a number items”, he said.

The Army spokesman said troops also recovered five motorcycles, nine bicycles, 80 new pairs of bathroom slippers, assorted laundry items, polythene bags and mats.

Col. Usman said from all indications, the Boko Haram members intended to link up with their wives and children who had already being dispatched to wait for them close to Fulawani.