Nigerian troops yesterday recorded two major victories in the fight against insurgency and terrorism. In one of them, troops of 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion of 25 Task Force Brigade, 7 Division Nigerian Army, demystified Boko Haram’s spiritual power base at the Alagarno forest, Borno State.

“The troops based on a tip-off, conducted a clearance operation around Alagarno forest general area, destroying terrorists camps at Mosa, Ariwuzumari and Kagalmari, as well as Missene, Joba, Yajiwa and Sansan,” Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said last night in a statement issued in Abuja.

“During the operations, the troops were able to clear all the camps, killing quite a number of terrorists and recovered Boko Haram terrorists flags hoisted on some premises, destroyed their logistics base and recovered 31 motorcycles, assorted foodstuffs, a donkey and a pick up van, AK-45 rifle with registration number 17714 and a Dane gun. Other items recovered include 2 boxes of 7.62mm ammunition, 4 loaded magazines of AK-47 rifles and 2 magazines pack,” Col. Usman said.

He disclosed in a separate statement that, also yesterday, Army Headquarters Special Forces Team B, 7 Division Garrison, conducted fighting patrol in which they cleared Boko Haram terrorists hideout at Lawin Meleri, Matiri Bulaka and Aljeri villages in Borno.

“During the operation, they killed 5 Boko Haram terrorists and also rescued 63 persons held captives by the terrorists. The troops recovered 1 Dane gun and 1 Light Machine Gun Bipod Stand and detonated 1 Improvised Explosive Device enroute,” the Army Spokesman said.

•Nigerian Army Photo shows troops burning a motorcyle belonging to a Boko Haram member after over-running one of their bases . . . yesterday.