The Nigerian military today stepped up its offensive against Boko Haram elsewhere in the North-East even as it consolidated on its victory in Baga, Borno State.

“Cordon and search as well as patrol of the localities continue while the offensive on terrorists is progressing in other areas of the theatre of the counter terrorist campaign,” Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said this evening.

“Troops engaged in cordon and search in Baga continue to discover more arms of various background and shapes abandoned in some houses and the surrounding by fleeing terrorists.

Heaps of weapons most of which were strange looking or destroyed are still being gathered. Many abandoned or destroyed motorcycles have also been discovered,” the Defence Spokesman said in a statement in Abuja made available to News Express by e-mail.

He disclosed that “a soldier was stabbed while another was shot during a close quarter battle which ensued as troops involved in cordon and search caught up with some of the fleeing terrorists yesterday evening.”

Olukolade added that “a number of individuals who claimed to be residents are also being interrogated in order to ascertain their identity and motive. The group consisting mostly women continued to hail and cheer the troops as they conduct thorough search in the area. Wanting to be sure the group was not working for the terrorists despite the excitement, they had to be placed under watch.”

•Photo courtesy of Defence Headquarters shows some of the gallant Nigerian ground troops who recaptured Baga.