Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed three suspected terrorists during a fierce gun battle with a affiliated group of Lakurawa insurgents in Kadam Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The operation, conducted by troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion 7 in collaboration with the 8 Division Strike Team, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, confirmed this in a statement released on Monday.

Osoba said the operation followed intelligence reports that a large group of armed fighters had gathered inside the forest to coordinate attacks and kidnappings in surrounding communities.

“The operation was initiated following credible intelligence indicating that over 100 terrorists had converged deep within Kadam Forest to coordinate attacks and kidnappings on local communities and transport their kidnapped victims to their strongholds.”

According to him, troops swiftly mobilised and made contact with the terrorists around 12 noon, leading to an intense firefight.

“The ensuing firefight was fierce and sustained. When the terrorists attempted a rear-flanking manoeuvre, troops responded with superior firepower, effectively neutralising the threat and maintaining tactical dominance throughout the engagement,” he said.