The Nigerian troops have successfully recaptured Marte town in Borno State, killing scores of ISWAP/ Boko Haram Terrorists who laid siege in that area for some days.
The troops of Sector 1 and 402 Special Forces Brigade of LAFIYA DOLE, neutralised 14 terrorists, destroyed two gun trucks and Vehicle-Born Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) while several high calibres of arms, ammunition and other equipment were captured in the operation.
The victory comes after a 48-hour ultimatum given to the troops by the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru when he visited Dikwa, Borno State.
He had on Sunday given the frontline soldiers an ultimatum to recapture Marte town and other adjoining villages under the control of the terrorists.
The operations to free the town from the grip of terrorist was clinical but met a lot of resistance from the criminals who implanted several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the troops’ axis of advance, especially on the fringes of New Marte. The troops however moved in and detonated all IEDs implanted by the terrorists on Tuesday.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima said ”at the fringes of New Marte, troops encountered very stiff resistance from the terrorists who took vantage positions including on tree-top. But with superior fire power, the gallant troops destroyed the terrorists’ resistance and dealt a decisive blow on their positions and inflicted heavy casualty on the criminals.”
The gallant troops immediately mobilised and commenced advance to the objective culminating in the successful recapture of New Marte.
The Chief of Army Staff has commended and congratulated the troops. He urged them to keep up the momentum, pursue the terrorists and smoke them out of their hideouts and enclaves.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
