No fewer than 70 suspected Boko Haram terrorists, suspected to have participated in separate attacks on Chuha I, Chuha II and Korogilim villages of Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State last weekend, have been killed in an air raid, with support from ground troops of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, rports have quoted residents as saying.
It would be recalled that more than 40 people, including teenagers, were killed weekend when suspected Islamist militants, otherwise known as Boko Haram, attacked three villages in Chibok, razed down houses, shops and vehicles before carting away foodstuffs and livestock.
‘Reliable sources’ told Vanguard that with the quick intervention of the military on ground and airstrikes, over 70 of the terrorists, who were fleeing towards Sambisa Forest after the onslaught on innocent villagers, were killed.
“I want to inform you that we are happy with the gallant effort displayed by the military for quick intervention which led to the killing of dozens of terrorists who wreaked havoc in our communities over the weekend as almost all of them were wiped out,” said a resident of Korogilim, one of the villages that suffered the deadly attacks, Mr. Joshua Yakubu.
According to Yakubu, who spoke to newsmen over the phone, the air strike took place on Sunday morning. He said the terrorists, who were moving in a convoy, were attacked by military operatives while attempting to flee after their deadly mission in three Chibok communities.
“Initially, when we started hearing sounds of explosions on the outskirt of our villages, we thought the end of the world had come. We later confirmed that the explosions were from troops targeting fleeing terrorists that attacked and killed many of our people.
“I was among those that took courage and visited the scene of the bombardment yesterday, where we saw many dead and mangled bodies of the terrorists lying on the ground and hanging from tree branches and shrubs.
“In fact, they were more than a hundred dead bodies. The food items they looted during the attacks were scattered all over the scene. People are trooping in to see things for themselves.”
Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade confirmed the operation in a text message yesterday. “Yes, it happened,” he said.
