Defence authorities have said that the troops of the Nigerian Army have captured the Balmo Forest believed to be one of the major hideouts of insurgents in the North East.
The Balmo Forest links Borno, Bauchi and Adamawa States and is said to host some of the training programmes of the insurgents.
The Defence authorities said in some tweets posted on (@DefenceInfoNG) on Tuesday that 20 insurgents were killed with an unspecified number injured in the fierce encounter to capture the fortified forest.
Find the tweets below:
Troops in pursuit of terrorists caught up with them around #HILDI In the ensuing encounter over 7 terrorists lost their lives #COINUpdate /1
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) December 9, 2014
A total of 5 rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition as well as bows and arrows were recovered from them. #HILDI #COINUpdate /2
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) December 9, 2014
#HILDI: Recovered from the fleeing terrorists were some documents including sketches, lists of communities apparently slated for attack! /3
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) December 9, 2014
#BALMO and #LAMEForest: Troops recovered a number of rifles and motorcycles after a stiff resistance by terrorists was crushed. #Update /1
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) December 9, 2014
#BALMO and #LAMEForest encounter: Over 20 terrorists lost their lives in this encounter while some were reported wounded. /2
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) December 9, 2014
A total of 6 Soldiers were wounded in the encounter. Troops have eventually taken control of the #LAMEForest location. /3
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) December 9, 2014