By Emma Njoku

The Nigerian military yesterday said it has killed Boko Haram’s deputy leader and other top shots of the notorious religious sect during an airstrike on their location.

A statement signed by the Director of Army Public relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the airstrike was carried out by combined forces of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force warplanes.

The statement read: “Based on received information about the location of some suspected top Boko Haram terrorists’ leaders, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force have been carrying out heavy artillery bombardments and air interdictions on  registered targets that have killed a large number of Boko Haram terrorists, including some of the group’s key leaders.

“The Nigerian Army artillery, using Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers, lobbed many rockets over the suspected location the terrorists’ leaders were hiding. Video clips obtained on battle damage assessment shows clear success of the exercise. More details of successes achieved will be made available as the operation continues.”

The statement said the key Boko Haram terrorists  Ameers neutralised within the week during the joint Artillery and Nigerian Air Force air bombardments include; Abu Dujana, Man Tahiru (Deputy to Boko Haram terrorists group Hisba leader), Man Chari, Malam Abdullahi (left) Abu Sa’ad (Right) and Goni Bamanga.

Meanwhile, Brigadier Usman has assured that the  military it will continue with the concerted onslaught on the reported Boko Haram terrorists’ location till they have been completely eliminated.