Colonel, Captain, Three Soldiers Killed In Boko Haram Ambush

 

 

An army colonel, a captain, and three soldiers have died in an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents, Nigerian Army authorities confirmed on Friday.

According to a statement, the victims were travelling from Maiduguri in Borno State to Damaturu, the Yobe State capital before the unfortunate incident occurred.

The Deputy Director of Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Ado Isa, explained that the insurgents had attempted to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base (FOB) base in Jakana on Wednesday.

He said the attackers came in seven gun trucks and fought severely, but the gallant soldiers repelled the attack with ‘heavy fire and bombardment’.

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In the course of the fire exchange, Colonel Isa said the troops dealt with the insurgents, adding that an unconfirmed number them were neutralised.

He added that the superior firepower of the soldiers forced the insurgents to withdraw and flee in disarray along the Benisheikh – Damaturu axis.

Isa also said the terrorists abandoned a damaged utility gun truck which was earmarked to convey looted items while several weapons were recovered.

Reacting to the fallen heroes, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, said the incident would not deter the troops in the anti-terrorism war.

He also condoled with the families of the deceased and commended the entire troops in the theatre for their efforts so far.

Read the full statement below:

Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Jakana, on Wednesday 17Th July 2019 dealt with and neutralised unconfirmed number of Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists when they woefully attempted to infiltrate their base in dire need for logistics.

The terrorists came at about 1845 hours in 7 Gun Trucks and fought fiercely to infiltrate the camp, but the attack was thwarted with heavy fire and bombardment by the gallant and patriotic troops who were vigilant and battle-ready.

The terrorists couldn’t bear the firepower any longer after losing a significant number of both equipment and personnel in an exchange of fire. They lost initiative and withdrew in disarray along the Benisheikh – Damaturu axis, – abandoning a damaged utility Gun truck which was earmarked to convey looted items.

Troops immediately followed in hot pursuit and the following items were captured:

1 x Anti-Aircraft Gun

2 x Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Tubes

2 x AK 47 Rifles

15 x Machine Gun rounds

12 x AK 47 NATO rounds.

Sadly, a Colonel and a Captain, as well as 3 soldiers on transit from Maiduguri to Damaturu, run into an ambush staged by the routed/fleeing terrorists from the Jakana axis which led to their unfortunate death.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai while commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes reiterated that “Personnel of the Nigerian Army will never be deterred in the ongoing noble and patriotic fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North East”.

He further commended the efforts of the entire troops in the theatre and charged them to remain focus, highly committed and professional in the discharge of their constitutional roles.

The sacrifices of the fallen heroes in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency is no doubt painful to all, but that will further spur us to do more to ensure that our country remain secured, peaceful and free from terrorists activities for the overall interest of the nation.

Ado Isa

Colonel

Deputy Director Public Relations

Operation LAFIYA DOLE

19 July 2019