The Nigerian Army says troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled an attempt by terrorists to infiltrate the Forward Operational Base at Bula Yobe in Borno State.
In a Monday statement, Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed that the marauding Boko Haram ( BHT) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists were dealt a devastating blow in the Sunday attack.
“The terrorists, who came mounted on gun trucks and several motorcycles attacked the location via an unsuspected crossing point, but were met with heavy volume of fire from the vigilant troops.
“The Land troops, in their usual dexterity swiftly and decisively engaged the terrorists, subsequently forcing them to retreat, having lost initiative,” the statement read in part.
Nwachukwu said that the troops neutralised 12 terrorists, with several others fleeing with gunshot wounds.
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He added that one gun truck, one self-propelled gun-9, one Dushika gun and one mounted QJC machine gun were recovered from the terrorists.
“Other items captured are one Light Machine Gun and five AK 47 Rifles,” the Army spokesman said.
“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 resilient troops is ongoing.”
Nwachukwu quoted the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Faruk Yahaya as lauding 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 charged the troops to maintain the tempo and vehemently hold their ground, to deny the terrorists freedom of action.