By Kingsley Omonobi

Abuja — The Nigerian  Army said, yesterday, that its troops prosecuting clearance operations of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East have discovered and cleared strategically positioned observation posts constructed on trees by the group for early warning information on troops’ movement.

Army

This came as Special Forces of the Nigerian military, yesterday, recovered a massive cache of arms and ammunition belonging to Boko Haram sect in one of their hideouts.

The Army also unearthed an underground storage facilities where the insurgents keep their stock of food.

It was gathered that the sentries in the past assisted the terrorists to know when troops were approaching their hideouts, enabling them to organize ambushes that frustrated many attempts to clear out the hideouts.

However, luck ran out on  them, following a double assault by the combined forces of the military in an unexpected dawn raid which finally led to the destruction of their hideouts.

A statement from Army Headquarters, signed by Col. Sani Usman, said:  “On Saturday, April 16, 2016, troops of 7 Division Strike Group Team B and 22 Task Force Brigade conducted a simultaneous dawn raid on suspected Boko Haram terrorists hideouts at Biggoro, Warpaya and Aura, North of Kumshe in Bama Local Government Area.

“The essence of the operation was to stop the reported criminal activities of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the three villages.

“The surprised dawn attack yielded positive result as the troops discovered well concealed observation posts on trees in the villages constructed by the terrorists to give them early warning of troops movement or approach.

“In addition, the troops found that the observation posts on tree tops were constructed in such a manner, with chairs and ropes, to pull up foods and other needs by the sentry without necessarily coming down the trees.

“To also save for the rainy day, the terrorists had underground food storage facilities where they stocked large quantity of foodstuffs.

“The troops killed two Boko Haram terrorists and also recovered three AK-47 rifles, magazines and ammunition.

“They also recovered two motorcycles from them. In addition they rescued two children from the terrorists.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Army last weekend re-opened the Damaturu-Biu road which had been closed down for three years due to the activities of members of Boko Haram sect.