17 B’Haram members killed in helicopter strike

Security forces backed by helicopter gunships killed 17 militants and destroyed two training camps belonging to extremist sect, Boko Haram, on Friday.

One of the camps was located in a forest and the other in a game reserve.

Spokesman for the Joint Military and Police Forces in Borno State, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said one soldier was killed in the firefights, which cast fresh doubt on a ceasefire declared by one purported Boko Haram commander on Monday, Reuters reports.

“The camp was properly fortified and had training facilities, an armoury, accommodation, a drug store, kitchen, vehicle holding area, latrine and water points,” Musa said.

It was not clear which of the two camps he was referring to.

“The camp was used to conduct training and carry out recent attacks, killings and bombings,” he said.

Borno is the sect’s headquarters and the worst affected by the insurgency.

There was no immediate reaction from Boko Haram.

Sheik Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez declared a unilateral ceasefire five days ago, urging members to halt attacks that have killed hundreds since the group launched an insurgency against the government in 2009.

The Federal Government welcomed the move but said it would not cease military operations to maintain security.

Violence by suspected sect members has persisted, raising doubts about the commander’s authority.

Gunmen killed at least five policemen in two attacks in northern Nigeria on Thursday.