Military kills 13 terrorists, loses officer in offensive

• Partners media to fight insurgency
• Air Force’s mock salvo causes panic at Lagos airport
• Police arrest suspected killers of naval officials

The 119 Task Force Battalion of 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri has killed 13 Boko Haram terrorists and lost an officer in a “ground and aerial bombardment” at Kangarwa in northern axis of Borno State.

Yesterday’s operation also led to recovery of arms and ammunition as well as destruction of two vehicles used by the suspected terrorists.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said: “The offensive which begun at about 4:00p.m. and lasted for about four hours, necessitated the troops calling for air support which the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) promptly responded by dispatching an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aerial and ground attack fighter aircraft.”

The Army spokesman also met with the media to boost the fight terrorism and other criminal activities in the country.

Also yesterday, a mock counter-terrorism exercise conducted by NAF at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) triggered panic among passengers and others in Lagos.

The training was code-named exercise Thunder Bolt.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubarkar, said the exercise was to reassure the public about its readiness.

In the meantime, the Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected killers of some naval officers in Bayelsa State recently.

The Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, told reporters yesterday in Asaba that the suspects were arrested at their hideout in Warri following a tip-off.

Their names were given as Okorotie Jakpany, 31 and and 25-year-old Jerome Fiye.

The police chief also paraded others for various offences. Those also arrested included Umaru, 19, Jibril Saidu, 25, Abdul Mohammed, 20, Usman Onga, 20, Isah Alli, 21, Useni Alli and Dahiru Usman, 21.