Over 63 Boko Haram members killed in Borno

Over 63 members of the dreaded sect, Boko Haram, have either been killed by the military during encounters over the weekend.
A statement by the spokesman of the Defence Headquarters, Major General Chris Olukolade, on Monday, said 56 Boko Haram members were killed in a ground and air raid by the Nigerian military.
Olukolade said seven other members of the sect died while fleeing from the military offensive by the Multi-National Joint Task Force.
Some of those who fled from the task force are said to have been injured.
Olukolade said the operation by the military was ongoing.
The statement by Olukolade reads in full: “Nigerian security forces have launched ground and air operations on terrorists locations in the Forest at ALAFA, about 21km from Bama, Borno State. Over 56 terrorists died in the ensuing intensive fight over the weekend. Two soldiers were wounded in the operation which is meant to track fleeing terrorists.
“Acting on intelligence reports which indicated renewed efforts by the terrorists to establish a new camp in the forests locations, the land and air operations has inflicted heavy casualty on the insurgents as indicated by the high level of their loss of men and materials. Air and land bombardments are continuing in different locations where terrorists have been reportedly sighted.
“In another development, troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force have foiled an attempt by terrorists who were massing up on an island on Lake Chad with a view to carrying out an attack on some Nigerian communities. Seven of the terrorists died while others fleeing in different direction towards Niger and Chad Republic are being trailed by troops.
“Intelligence reports have confirmed that some of the wounded terrorists were seen in a canoe paddling towards Tumbun Telkandam in Chad RepublicI.”