by Akan Ido

Thirty one Boko Haram members have been arrested by Nigerian Special Forces while attempting to escape to neighbouring Cameroon through Taraba and Adamawa state.

This information was disclosed yesterday by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.- Gen. Chris Olukolade who also added that eleven insurgents were also killed. The militants were reportedly killed during shootouts with troops in the border communities.

One of the militants arrested was a mercenery who claimed to be a citizen of Chad and Burkina Faso.

Olukolade said that several categories of high calibre weapons, several Improvised Explosive Devices and over 70 motorcycles were recovered from the insurgents in the operations.

According to Olukolade, “A group of terrorists attempting to escape into Cameroon through Taraba and Gumti in Adamawa State have come under heavy fire from troops on patrol of the area in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.

“The terrorists who had been trapped as a result of the ongoing offensive  by the troops along the borders were given out when some of them could no longer bear the hunger in their make-shift camps in the forest.

“Those who were apprehended led troops to their hideouts where fierce fighting ensued.

“Seven terrorists died, while a large number of Improvised Explosive Devices and rifles were recovered including over 70 motorcycles.

“Similar encounter in Gombi also led to the death of four other terrorists.”