No fewer than 78 members of the Boko Haram sect were said to have been killed in their botched attempt to capture a military base in Biu, Borno State.

It would be recalled that in the early hours of Wednesday, hundreds of terrorists, including foreign nationals were repelled in a determined effort by Nigerian troops from expanding their operational bases and capturing weapons.

Of the terrorists who were killed and captured during a pursuit by the military, include those of foreign nationalities.

Two Anti-Aircraft Guns were seized from the terrorists during the operation.

Competent military sources said that as at Thursday afternoon, at least 78 bodies of the terrorists have been counted.

When contacted, Defence Spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade declined to comment on Boko Haram casualty figure saying that the military is more concerned about the success of the operations than the figures of the terrorists killed during the encounters.

He nevertheless confirmed that mopping up exercise in the area continued. He said “what is important now is for us to consolidate on the victory, recapture areas where the terrorists are presently operating and restore peace to the entire north east.”

To push the terrorists further back, the military have intensified both aerial and surveillance operations in the entire north east particularly in the border towns with neighbouring Chad and Niger Republic where the insurgents retreat to after striking in Nigeria.