Abuja – The Defence Headquarters said on Friday that more than 50 suspected terrorists died during a raid on a makeshift camp used by terrorists in Miyanti and Bulungu, Borno.

In a statement posted on its Website, the Defence Headquarters said 53 terrorists died in the encounter, while the troops lost two of their men, and five others received injuries.

The statement said that a fuel dump used for storing fuel, vehicles, including Toyota Hilux trucks, and seven motorcycles were destroyed in the raid.

It also said that 15 rifles, 11 machine guns and ammunitions were captured by the troops.

“In a separate encounter around Duguri, near the Nigeria–Niger border, troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force stormed a terrorists’ hideout in a raid.

“The troops recovered 18 rifles, five general purpose machine guns, 25 hand grenades and IED making materials.’’

The statement said a suspected gun runner was apprehended and was being interrogated in connection with the seizures.

It said that the suspect was arrested during a cordon and search operation by troops.

The statement said that 15 other suspects were being detained in Abuja after a raid that led to the recovery of seven rifles, pistols, swords and other weapons.

It said that military operations to track armed gangs would be sustained in various locations.

On Wednesday’s explosion in Abuja, the statement said more explosives were seized from two suspects believed to have coordinated the bombing of Emab Shopping Plaza in Wuse.

“Bystanders at the scene of the explosion alerted soldiers on patrol to the two suspects who were speeding off on a power bike.

“The soldiers pursued the fleeing suspects and shot at one who fell off the bike with his bag, while the rider escaped through the crowd.

“The bag recovered from the suspect was later confirmed to contain a package of IED and other accessories.

The statement said that the accessories included stop clock, mobile phones and other materials used for setting off explosives.

The statement said the suspect who was shot later died in a hospital while yelling: “people will die! people will die!!’’.

Twenty-one persons were confirmed dead following the explosion, while the wounded are receiving treatment in various hospitals. (NAN)
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