The Nigerian army is claiming that it has inflicted heavy casualties on the fearful militant group, Boko Haram in two separate attacks in Bono State.

A statement from the military said 32 Boko Haram members were killed in an apparent attack by the militants. It added however that two soldiers and a police officer died in the assaults which occurred at a police station and a military base respectively on Sunday.

Communications in northern Nigeria is relatively difficult due to Boko Haram attacks on mobile networks cell sites leaving it completely destroyed. The attack happened on Sunday but it was not heard until Monday evening due to the interruption of communication networks in the north of the country.

Bono State military spokesman, Sagir Musa told reporters on Monday evening that Boko Haram had attacked a military base and a police station and a subsequent response from the security forces inflicted this heavy casualty on the militants.

“Troops have successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorist attacks on a police base in Bama in Bono State on 4 August, 32 militants were killed in the attack’’, he told reporters.

The military said sophisticated weapons and explosives were used in the attacks by the militants but the military over powered the militants.

Four trucks, three motorbikes and dozens of the explosive devices, three rocket-propelled grenades, 10 AK47 rifles and over 100 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the militants according to the military.

President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in 3 northern states on May 14, and deployed thousands of troops to halt the insurgency, acknowledging that militants had taken control of some towns and villages in the north.

The Nigerian Armed Forces have been on offensive to flush Boko Haram out of its northern strongholds with the army saying it has gained massive grounds against Boko Haram.

The UK has outlawed Boko Haram under its anti-terror laws, with support for the group now considered a criminal offence in the United Kingdom.

President Goodluck Jonathan had wanted to grant an amnesty to Boko Haram by setting up a committee to look into the affairs on how a peaceful dialogue can be achieved but the group refused to lay down their arms compelling the President to resort to military action against them.

Boko Haram is believed to have carried out a wave of bombings and assassinations since 2009, saying it wants to establish an Islamic state across Nigeria.

Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News

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