Nigerian military: 63 Boko Haram militants killed in raids

At least 63 Boko Haram fighters were killed in raids by the Nigerian army following a recent pre-dawn attacks on a military barracks in Bama town by the militant sect in the northern state of Borno, a military spokesperson said on Monday. The military launched ground and air operations on terrorists locations in the forest at ALAFA, about 21 km from Bama, dealing a heavy blow to Boko Haram fighters, said Major General Chris Olukolade, the defense director of information. "Over 56 terrorists died in the ensuing intensive fight over the weekend and in another development, troops of the Multi- National Joint Task Force 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," Olukolade said. He added that another seven of the terrorists died while others fleeing in different direction towards Niger and Chad are being trailed by troops. Two soldiers were wounded in the operation which is meant to track fleeing terrorists, Olukolade added. The Nigerian forces have been raiding militant camps and launching air and ground attacks on suspected hideouts of the militants over the past two months. Over 50 Boko Haram terrorists were killed in less than 10 days ago in the course of exchange of fire with ground troops in the northeast restive state of Borno. Borno State, located in Nigeria's northeast region, is a flashpoint of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram since 2009, when the sect launched its insurgency targeting churches, security facilities, schools and villages.