The military at the weekend said it repelled an insurgent attack on its barracks in New Bussa, Borgu Local Governnent Area of Niger state, North Central Nigeria.
The military said it killed eight members of the insurgents in the battle, amid other reports that one of the commanders was nabbed.
The spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu stated that four terrorists were killed during operations by the troops in Maidaro, Kagi Hill, Kusharki, and Anguwan Madaki in Birnin Gwari Local Governnent Area of Kaduna state.
He added that two AK 47 rifles with two rounds of 7.62mm Special, one automatic pump action gun with three cartridges, six dane guns, three locally fabricated pistols with one 9mm round and four motorcycles were recovered from the gunmen.
Nwachukwu quoted the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Faruk Yahaya, as commending the troops for their gallantry and urged them not to relent until terrorism and other criminalities were brought to an end in the North-West region.
Reports from Niger State said that the bashing of insurgents in the state represents renewed efforts by the Nigerian Army to rid the country of insurgents, especially in New-Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger state.
The insurgents were said to have attacked the Borgu Army barracks with the intention of rescuing their members in the military’s captivity, but were roundly routed by soldiers who gunned down eight of the insurgents while others fled with injuries.
It was gathered that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 401 Air Combat Training Group (ACTG) supported troops from Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area (LGA).
In Borgu LGA is a NAF facility that houses Alpha jets and the A-29 Super Tucanos purchased from America.
Wawa Cantonment, home to the 221 Light Tank Battalion, is located in New Bussa, near the border with the Benin Republic.
The Army base accommodates hundreds of terrorism suspects undergoing trial.
In 2017, the Federal Government announced that around 2,500 suspects were being held at the formation.
Two years later, a special Federal High Court established to try terrorism-related cases sentenced 113 Boko Haram members to prison.