Over 70 suspected Boko Haram members got drowned in a river following air bombardment by Operations Hadin Kai in Borno State, according to sources.
It was gathered the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force, had earlier killed over 20 members of Boko Haram insurgents in Sheruri village of Bama Local Government Area of Borno on Thursday.
Sources said that after the Sheruri attack last Thursday, the escapees drowned in a river around Dipchari village of Bama LGA on Friday.
“The insurgents suffered heavy blows; they have lost more than 70 fighters around Dipchari village. Many are unaccounted for as we speak”, the security source said.
Another source familiar with the development said that following the incident, the insurgents were seen recovering scores of their dead bodies in the river.
“This morning around 8:30 am, they conducted a funeral for more than 50 of their fighters at Dipchari village and they continue with the search for the remaining terrorists.
“They recovered many dead bodies from the river but dozens of the fighters are still missing”, the source added.
There was no official statement from the military high command before filing this report, but many locals in the area confirmed the development.
The military had recorded many successes recently in many parts of the country.
Three days ago, at least 49 Boko Haram insurgents were also reportedly killed when a Super Tucano warplane bombed three terrorists hideout in Sambisa forest in Borno State during multiple raids in the last two days.
That air bombardment was conducted by the Air Task Force (ATF), Operation Hadin Kai on Tuesday and Wednesday, at the terrorists’ camps of Gargash, Minna and Gazuwa, in Bama Local Government Area of the state.
