The Nigerian army on Wednesday said it has commenced air and land strikes on Boko Haram camps in northeast remote villages along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.

Spokesman of the Army 7 Division in Borno State, Lt Col Mohammed Dole, told reporters that unlike before, the army division would now strike on Boko Haram camps so as to destabilize the insurgents from planning or executing any attack again.

"There is an on going operation around Benisheik, Kaga Local Government. Troops of the 7 Division supported by the Nigerian Air force, attacked and destroyed Boko Haram camps at Goho village in Mainok general area. Several terrorists were killed while others fled to another camps in Marguba, same Mainok area but the troops pursued them to the camp at Marguba which was also destroyed," he added.

The exact number of the insurgents that were killed in the offensive was not ready since the operation is still going, the spokesman said, promising to avail journalists with details of the operation as soon as it is completed.

"Several of them were killed while others also fled. Terrorists who escaped from the Marguba camp following troops strike on their camp, crossed the Maiduguri-Damaturu road at Benisheik heading north toward Gubio (North of Borno). Troops from 7 Division are still pursuing the terrorists. The operation is still going on," he said.

He appealed to residents not to panic especially with the movement of the fleeing insurgents toward the northern part of the state, saying troops in the area have been alerted about the development.

He also said the troops from the division were already pursuing the fleeing Boko Haram men.

Last Friday, the Nigerian military announced the killing of 95 Boko Haram fighters in Yobe and Borno States in operations against the insurgents, who were alleged to attempt coordinated attacks.

The Boko Haram sect has proved the biggest security threat in the West African country since launching the insurgency in 2009. Endi

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