Nigerian troops kill 63 Boko Haram fighters in 5 days: military

LAGOS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops have killed 63 Boko Haram terrorists and intercepted suicide bombers from Jan. 18 to 22, a military officer said on Saturday.
The troops had recovered several sophisticated weapons from the terrorists, Major General Hassan Umoru, the Commander of northeast operation, told reporters in Maiduguri, the restive Borno State capital.
"Our troops conducted a fighting patrol at Afe, Kudiye, Souma, Dikwa Mijigeta, Mida villages of Borno state. During the operation, our troops came in contact with Boko Haram terrorists at Kudiye and Mijigete," he said.
"370 hostages were rescued and brought to IDP camp in Dikwa and 3 rifles and 41 motorcycles were destroyed," he said, adding that the troops also cleared some Boko Haram hideouts in Wala, Tirkopytir and Durubajuwe in Gwoza area.
The commander said the troops also intercepted three suspected suicide bombers along Maiduguri Mafa checkpoint of Borno State.
Umoru called for the troops and the public to be more vigilant and security conscious, especially at checkpoints, worship center, markets, motor parks and schools.