Boko Haram loses butcher, 18 fighters in encounter with soldiers

The Boko Haram sect has suffered yet another setback, as Abubakar Gana, a butcher in the group, and 18 other insurgents were killed at a village in Borno state.

The incident happened 24 hours after the army announced the killing of 11 insurgents in a gun battle.

According to Sani Usman, army spokesman, a cache of arms was recovered during the operation.

“Following credible information on the presence of Boko Haram terrorists at their camp and other facilities at Chukungudu a carefully planned and deliberate attack comprising troops of 22 brigade garrison, and 153 task force battalion of seventh division and eighth task force division as well as Nigeria air force intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) and some civilian JTF, was carried out on Boko Haram terrorists stronghold  and camp at Chukungudu on Friday 3rd May 2016,” he said in a statement.

“While advancing to the location, the troops encountered Boko Haram terrorists ambush positions at Muskari, Gilam and Hausasi before descending on their main objective at Chukungudu.

“During the encounter at the camp, the troops killed 19  Boko Haram terrorists including their notorious leader in the area called Ameer Abubakar Gana.

“They also discovered and destroyed the terrorists’ improvised explosive devices (IEDs) making factory, discovered and successfully detonated four primed IEDs. The troops also recovered two anti-aircraft guns, one AK-47 rifle, a pistol, one rocket propelled gun (RPG) bomb, one AK-47 magazine, 267 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) metal links ammunition and 23 rounds of 12.7mm belt ammunition. Other recovered items include a Canter truck, one gun truck, one Land Rover vehicle and a Toyota Hilux vehicle.”

Usman, however, added that two soldiers suffered gun-shot wounds as a result of enemy action.