Scores of suspected terrorists were feared dead when troops who were newly deployed to the troubled Borno state clashed on their way along Damaturu-Maiduguri on Saturday morning.

The incident according to sources took place on Saturday morning between Ngamdu- Mainok- Jakana villages which is about 50km drive to Maiduguri, the state capital.

Between Benisheik and Ngamdu is about 25km stretch of road without any security checkpoint.

The source said, the terrorists in a convoy of three white -in- colour Hilux Vehicles had earlier barricaded the road where they blocked two motorists including a truck which they suspected were conveying foodstuff to Maiduguri, but luck run out of them as troops with support from the Jakana village immediately swung into action and killed some of the terrorists, dislodged most of them before they set ablaze two hilux vehicles with destruction of the other white new brand hilux belonging to the terrorists.

The source added that at about 12noon, a detached group of military troops were seen at the scene with over four Armoured Patrol Carriers evacuating some corpses and the injured to Maiduguri, but insisted that he cannot know whether any of the troops had a casualty during the deadly clash that lasted for about two hours.

“I can confidentially tell you that the busy Maiduguri-Damaturu road had a deadly attack between insurgents and troops, which I believe many of the terrorists were killed with destruction of three of their vehicles”. The source stated.

A police officer stationed in one of the villagers on the said highway informed our reporter that travellers are being asked to make a u-turn as the terrorists had taken over the road between Benisheik (a town 85km away from Maiduguri) and Ngamdu (35km away from Damaturu.

The officer who does not want to mention his name because it is not part of his job to speak to the press said the terrorists had attacked Ngamdu village of Benesheikh, the council headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area and killed ten persons there on Friday night.

“It may be the same group of terrorists that attempted to attack Benesheikh on Friday but were repelled by troops that were crossing the main road before they clash with the troops on Saturday morning”. The police source stated. End