The Nigerian military captured a high-ranking commander of Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group, authorities said Thursday.
In an operation that was carried out Wednesday in the Kondunga area of Borno state, the Nigerian troops killed at least 60 militants and captured the commander whose identity remains unknown. According to the officials, the detained leader of the fundamentalists is receiving treatment at a military facility.
The exact number of the terrorists killed in the operation is not yet disclosed. However, officials said the operation that lasted more than 12 hours, sent "scores of terrorists to hell."
Nigerian troops also confiscated four motorcycles from the terrorists. Four rifles, five rocket-propelled grenade tubes, two machine guns and two Ford Rangers belonging to the terrorists were destroyed during the operation, reports PR Nigeria. "Right now, our troops are combing the vicinity of the battle scene in a cordon and search operation to determine the exact casualty figures suffered by the terrorists in the encounter," a source said.
"Nigerian Army troops did not suffer any casualty. Morale of troops remains very high. Further details will be communicated accordingly," Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye, the Director of Army Public Relations, said in a statement, reports Osun Defender.
Borno state is overrun by the Boko Haram insurgents. The area has witnessed several killings and bombings. This April, the militants abducted nearly 276 girls from a school in Chibok in the state.
The Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri said Boko Haram still controls 31 towns and villages in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, reports The Guardian Nigeria. It stated that nine bridges linked to the towns and villages have been destroyed using Improvised Explosive Devices.
