The troops of Operation Fire Ball have inflicted heavy casualty on Boko Haram/Islamic States for West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killing 16 in recent encounters in North East theatre of operation.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, in a statement on Sunday, said that operation was a subsidiary operation launched under Operation Lafiya Dole to route out remnant of terrorists.

Onyeuko said that four terrorists’ gun trucks were destroyed as well as recovery of large cache of arms and ammunitions during the various encounters.

He disclosed that the troops had on Oct. 21 noticed unusual vehicles tailing the convoy of vehicles conveying Internally Displaced Persons from Maiduguri Cosmopolitan City to Baga town in order to infiltrate their position.

According to him, the troops inflicted heavy casualty on them by killing three terrorists and destroyed one Gun Truck.

He added that one Anti Aircraft Gun, three AK47 Rifle, three Shells for making Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) were also captured, adding that the troops had since dominated the area with aggressive patrols.

Onyeuko also disclosed that troops of Army Super Camp Magumeri also killed 11 in a fierce encounter and captured three gun trucks with three Anti Aircraft guns and one Dushka gun.

He said the troops of Army Super Camp located at Mallam Fatori also routed elements of Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists who attacked their location on Saturday.

According to him, after the fierce battle two terrorists were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds as traces of blood of dragged casualties by the criminals were seen during exploitation.

“The troops captured three AK47 rifles, one Light Machine Gun, 466 Rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition, 24 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition and One Tecno cell phone.

He said that the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole are in high spirit and dominating their Area of Responsibilities with robust fighting patrols.

“The troops are hereby commended for the resilience, doggedness and commitment exhibited during the above encounters. They are equally encouraged not to rest on their oars but build on the successes recorded.

“The entire populace of the North East zone are hereby assured of the determination of the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to finally rout out the remnants of the BHT/ISWAP criminals from their enclaves,” he said.