Army recovers bomb-laden vehicle from Boko Haram

Nigeria Army troops on Saturday recovered a cache of arms and a Sport Utility Vehicle packed full with Improvised Explosives Devices, while conducting operations after suicide bomb attacks on Zabarmari Muna, near Maiduguri, Borno State.

This was disclosed by the Defence Headquarters in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade.

Olukolade said the SUV, along with two Hilux vehicles being used by terrorists, was destroyed in the course of pursuit and encounter with the group.

He said the terrorists were trying to escape after simultaneous attacks on targets in the communities on Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3.

'A total of six suicide bombers had detonated themselves around the garage, killing scores of people while some people were also wounded. A soldier also died.

'Military Explosives Ordinance experts, backed by Police Bomb Disposal Units, are continuing with vigorous search for any bombs that might have been hidden or left unexploded in the area,' he said.

Olukolade also said all other operations of counterterrorism are continuing on various fronts.

He said additional deployment of men and equipment to enhance the scope of the mission, both within the country and at borders, was also in progress.

The advancement of the terrorist group on two Borno towns, Jere and Bama, on Friday night was successfully repelled by a combined effort of military and youth vigilantes, said the army.

The Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Kenneth Minimah, on Saturday, insisted that the military was winning the war against the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-Eastern part of the country.

The COAS said even with the complex and dynamic environment under which the terrorists operated, the sect's strength had been depleted.