国际英语新闻:20 terrorists killed in multilateral operation in Nigeria: military spokesperson

LAGOS, June 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 terrorists were killed following a joint operation by forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, a Nigerian military spokesperson confirmed on Monday.

Timothy Antigha, a Nigerian army officer who is also the chief spokesman for the multinational forces, said in a statement reaching Xinhua that the terrorists were killed by troops operating around Arege, Malkonory and Tumbum Rego general area.

He said the operation was part of the ongoing offensive operations to clear Islamic State (IS) terrorists from the Lake Chad Area.

"Unfortunately, four personnel of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) were wounded during the firefight and have been evacuated for urgent medical attention," he said.

The Nigerian officer said the MNJTF remains committed to delivering the mandate of the force and called for continuous support and solidarity of the good people of the Lake Chad region.

MNJTF, in February, launched a new operation to push back Boko Haram insurgents to the Lake Chad fringes.