The Defence Headquarters has debunked the alleged unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and Gun trucks engaged troops deployed to SABON GARI Village of DAMBOA Local Government Area of Borno State in a firefight.
In a statement, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said that “the terrorist had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops.”
According to him, the terrorist was taken unaware, when troops fighting patrol returning to base foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced.
Additionally, the troop’s reinforcement team comprised of elements of the Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilantes as well as hybrid forces timely arrived at the scene to overpower the terrorists.
Furthermore, though troops reinforcement team encountered an Improvise Explosive Device injuring the Vigilante Commander.
He noted that the reinforcement team arrived in time to decimate the fleeing terrorist.
Furthermore, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed several killed terrorists and recovered weapons,” he said.
He added that ‘on the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons recovered.
Troops also recovered with over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Sadly, 6 personnel were killed in action.
“Kindly note that the names of killed in-action personnel are withheld to allow administrative procedures of notifying their Next of Kin to be concluded.
“On the whole, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation.
Accordingly, troops remain committed to the course of defeating the terrorists,” he said.
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