Chad on Friday said its troops have killed 117 Boko Haram fighters in an operation against the extremists holed up on the islands of Lake Chad.
“117 terrorists have been killed, two Chadian soldiers died and two others were wounded in the operation against the Nigeria-based movement, which began two weeks ago, Reuters quoted the Chadian army spokesman, Col. Azem Bermendoa Agouna, as saying on the issue.
“For two weeks, Boko Haram terrorists have been trying to infiltrate our islands on Lake Chad to carry out attacks on peaceful citizens,”he said, adding that military operations were ongoing.
The borders of Chad and northeast Nigeria converge on Lake Chad with those of Cameroon and Niger, further north.
“Our armed forces and security forces have launched a vast offensive to dig out and neutralize these terrorists on these islands,” Agouna said.
There was no immediate independent confirmation of the Chadian army claim.
“Several boats have been destroyed and several weapons of different calibres have been recovered,” Azem said of the operation which was targeted on the island villages of Koungya, Merikouta, Choua and Blarigui.
“The sweep continues and the definitive toll will be released later,” the spokesman added.
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