No fewer than 11 members of the terrorists group, Boko Haram, were killed by the Nigerian Army in the Sunday attack at Bale Shuwa and Alkaramti communities in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to him, a breakdown of the terrorists killed shows that six were fighters while seven others were suicide bombers.
The Army spokesman also confirmed that 15 persons lost their lives.
The victims included a soldier.
83 other people were injured in the attack.
Said Nwachukwu: “Troops deployed in the Cashew Plantation around Bale Shuwa and Alikaramti villages have quashed an attempt by Boko Haram terrorists to penetrate Maiduguri metropolis on Sunday at about 8:10 p.m.
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“The insurgents met with stiff resistance of troops who killed six of the insurgents and neutralised seven suicide bombers in the encounter.
“The troops also recovered two AK 47 rifles and two magazines; the Nigerian Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team have detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) vests recovered from the killed suicide bombers.
“They were beaten by the troops and unable to force their way into the metropolis, the insurgents retreated and callously resorted to attacking locals, who were fleeing in confusion from Bale Shuwa and Alkaramti villages.
“Sadly, 15 persons including a soldier have so far been confirmed dead in the encounter, while 83 persons who suffered varying degrees of injuries are receiving due medical attention; troops are still on the trail of the insurgents.’’
Nwachukwu also revealed that a 14 years old insurgent, Rawa Babagana, has surrendered.
He said Babagana escaped from the Boko Haram enclave at Kekeno in the northern fringes of the Lake Chad Islands.
He said he was already being profiled.
He also called for vigilance on the part of the people as he explained that the remnants of the terrorists were attacking soft targets to remain relevant.
He said suspicious moves or persons should be reported to security agencies.
