The aerial bombardments of insurgents’ enclaves by troops in Nigeria’s beleaguered north eastern state of Borno has left scores of Boko Haram members dead.
The insurgents were killed in airstrikes by troops of operation Hadin Kai, at Shehutari and Mantari areas in Bama LGA of the state.
According to Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the operations were carried out on Tuesday.
In one of the air raids, insurgents were reportedly killed after intelligence revealed that they had assembled at Mantari to hold special prayers for some insurgents killed in an earlier airstrike.
An intelligence officer was quoted as saying the “renewed vigour” in the military offensive also caught the insurgents by surprise during another operation in Shehutari area.
Several others were reportedly wounded while some were said to have fled.
According to the publication, the airstrikes “resulted in the degradation of the capabilities of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād within the Sambisa forest”.
“On December 27, Boko Haram terrorists conveyed some militant medical personnel on six motorcycles to Mantari camp of the terrorists, where they will be treating the wounded fighters,” the publication reads.
Recall that fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) were reportedly killed following a clash with troops of the Nigerian Army in Damboa area of Borno.
Hours after, a raid on five hideouts reportedly led to more casualties on the side of the insurgents.