From Molly Kilete, Abuja
THE Nigerian Army yesterday said its soldiers killed five members of the Boko Haram terrorists group fleeing from Sambisa forest to Fulawani village in Borno State.
The terrorists were ambushed by the soldiers from 81 Battalion and their counterparts from 251 Task Force Battalion, while on security operations in the area.
The acting director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman said the terrorists were relocating to safer places and possibly to link up with other members of their group and families when they were killed.
Usman, who said soldiers also intercepted a group of women and children who claimed to have escaped from the terrorists’ den in Sambisa forest, however, noted that their claims were found to be false as investigation revealed that they were family members of the terrorists moving in advance party to safer locations.
Items recovered from the terrorists included five motorcycles, nine bicycles, 80 new pairs of bathroom slippers, assorted laundry items, polythene bags and mats, which the army spokesman said were meant for sale in other locations where remnants of the terrorists were hiding and in dire need of logistics.
“Further investigation revealed that the terrorists were fleeing Sambisa forest to other areas for safety as they could no longer withstand the continued bombardment by both Nigerian Air Force and the ground troops.
Colonel Usman said in the statement that the onslaught against terrorists was ongoing.
“The troops sprang a surprised ambush on the group of escaping terrorists from Sambisa forest crossing towards Alagarno on motorcycles and bicycles, killing five of them and recovering a number items.
“From all indications, the terrorists intended to link up with their wives and children, who were obviously despatched to wait for them close to Fulawani for onward movement to other locations,” the statement said.