15 insurgents killed as army rescues 49 hostages

The Nigerian army says it has killed 15 Boko Haram insurgents and rescued 49 persons held hostage by the group.

Onyema Nwachukwu, deputy director, public relations, operation Lafiya Dole, said this occurred in separate encounters between the insurgents and troops in the Lake Chad basin.

In a statement on Thursday, Nwachukwu said some of the insurgents were killed on Tuesday in villages in northern Borno.

“Troops dislodged the insurgents from their hideout after a fierce battle, killing 11 insurgents in Gomaran village of southern Lake Chad basin”, he said.

He said the troops also ambushed and killed four terrorists while trying to escape from the military onslaught in northern Borno, and also engaged others in Bama and Dikwa council.

According to him, items recovered were one single barrel gun, one dane gun and one locally made pistol, four motorcycles, two tricycles, six water pumping machines, and two power generating sets.

“Additionally, the valiant troops captured two Boko Haram flags, a pair of camouflage uniform, a pair of combat boots, a camera, a bag of mechanical tools and medications,” he added

“Four men, 33 women and 16 children were rescued by the troops from the insurgents’ hideouts . The rescued hostages are currently being profiled for subsequent hand over to officials of the internally displaced persons camp for documentation and administering.”