Twelve fighters of Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP), were killed by troops in an encounter in Borno state on Sunday, by the Nigerian Army.
The Army however lost two of its soldiers,according to Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, (DAPR), who disclosed this in an operation update on Monday.
He said that the terrorists were attempting to infiltrate the Forward Operational Base at Bula Yobe in Borno State, when they encountered the troops.
He said the troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI descended heavily on them with a superior fire power, leading to the death of some of the fleeing terrorists.
He also said that the terrorists, came mounted on Gun trucks and several motorcycles and attacked the location via an unsuspected crossing point, but were met with heavy volume of fire from the vigilant troops.
He added:”The Land troops, in their usual dexterity swiftly and decisively engaged the terrorists, subsequently forcing them to retreat, having lost initiative. The troops sustained the fire fight and successfully neutralised 12 terrorists, with several others fleeing with gun shot wounds.
“The troops gallantly captured one Gun Truck, one Self Propelled Gun-9, one Dushika Gun and one mounted QJC Machine Gun. Other items captured are one Light Machine Gun and five AK 47 Rifles.Sadly, during the encounter two soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, while five others sustained varying degrees of injury and have been evacuated by the Air component of OPHK to a medical facility, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
“The general area within FOB Bula Yobe is cool and calm under the control of troops of the battalion. Further exploitation by the resilient troops is ongoing .The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Faruk Yahaya has lauded the Land troops and the Air Component for their synergy and quick response, which is in tandem with the ongoing rejigging of the counter terrorism counter insurgency operations in the North East”, he said.
