Army Rescue 12 Women, 4 Children After Duel With Boko Haram

The Nigerian Army troops of Operation Lafiya Dole said it has rescued twelve women and four children from the dens Boko Haram, in over 40 minutes gun battle with the terrorists group on December 1 at Mafa in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The duel, according to the army left scores of the terrorists dead.

It said the Boko Haram elements who mounted on 5 Gun Trucks and motorcycles attempted to infiltrate 112 Task Force Battalion troops met their waterloo as they fell prey to the superior fire power of the resilient and highly professional troops of the Battalion.

According to a statement signed by Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu said at the end of the encounter which lasted for about 40 minutes, the criminals once again suffered heavy casualties in both men and equipment as they were seen retreating in dissaray with some of their dead and wounded.

Iliyasu added that during the exploitation, troops recovered 3 Boko Haram bodies ( 2 of them strapped with suicide vests).

Items recovered from them include, one Boko Haram criminals’ Gun Truck, one motorcycle, one Anti-Aircraft Gun, one PKT Gun, one Rocket Propelled Gun Tube were captured by the troops. Other items that were equally captured by the troops include 2 Rocket Propelled Gun bombs, 2 AK 47 Rifles, 25 Rounds of Anti-Aircraft Gun, 723 Rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 51 Rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 52 Rounds of 7.62 X 54mmR (PKT) ammunition, surgical kits, Boko Haram terrorists uniforms and warm clothing were also captured by the gallant troops.

In a similar development, colonel Iliyasu noted that 2 female suicide bombers who attempted to infiltrate the Defence Company of 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison location at Gwoza in Gwoza LGA of Borno State on 1 December 2019, adding that the eagle eyed soldiers deployed on sentry duty identified the criminal intruders and neutralized them before they could detonate their suicide vests.

In yet another development, based on credible intelligence, the statement noted that troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade in conjunction with elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force conducted a robust Clearance Operation to suspected Boko Haram enclaves at Zua and Kotembe Villages in Bama LGA of Borno State in the early hours of 2 December 2019.

The statement read in part: “Incidentally, the cowardly remnant Boko Haram criminals hibernating in the general area opened fire on the advancing troops from an ineffective range and fled in disarray towards Kerawa along the Nigeria- Cameroon boarder.

“Nevertheless, the gallant troops continued with their advance and bravely searched the area. It is gratifying to note that, 12 women and 4 children held captives by the insurgents were rescued and evacuated to safety.

“Elsewhere, other ongoing Nigerian Army Operations and Exercises conducted across the country continue to yield positive results as our gallant troops continue to decimate the criminal gangs and deny them freedom of action, ” the statement noted.