Troops of sector 1 Joint Task Force(JTF) North East(NE), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralized scores of Boko Haram (BH) and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles, who infiltrated Kala Balge town in Borno State on Friday, 3 December 2021.
The insurgents attacked troops deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) Rann, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon but the troops engaged the maurading terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and withdraw in disarray.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said in the fierce battle for Kala Balge, troops defended the town and neutralized 26 BH/ISWAP terrorists, capturing terrorists’ combat vehicles, 18 AK 47 rifles and one M-21 rifle with large quantity of ammunition while several other equipment were destroyed by troops.
According to the statement, two officers and five soldiers paid the supreme price, while three personnel who sustained gun shot wounds are currently receiving medical attention.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has paid tribute to the departed heroes, who paid the supreme price in defending their fatherland.
He also commended troops for their gallantry in the North East, especially with the recent successes recorded in Gajiram and Tumbus.
Emmanuel Ukoh