Nigerian Army confirms killing of 2 officers, 3 soldiers in Yobe State

Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a Colonel, Captain and three soldiers in an ambush by suspected Boko Haram fighters.

The confirmation came 24 hours after reports of the killing were made public by military sources.

Spokesperson for  Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Ado Isa, while confirming the incident in a statement, said the personnel were ambushed by fleeing fighters from the Jakana axis in Yobe State.

The Army said troops of 212 Battalion had engaged the insurgents in a fierce gun battle, which began at about 6:45pm Wednesday.

It added that the terrorists, who came in 7 gun trucks, had made attempts to overrun its Forward Operation Base (FOB), leading to the resistance by the fighting troops.

“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 fire power any longer after loosing 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.

“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”, Isa said.

Isa uoted the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, as saying 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”.

Buratai was further quoted to have assured that the sacrifice of the fallen heroes in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency, 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”.

Items recivered during the encounter, according to Isa, included:  1 Anti Aircraft Gun,

2 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Tubes, 2 AK 47 Rifles, 15 Machine Gun rounds, and 12 x AK 47 NATO rounds.