Yobe: 2 Soldiers Dead, 5 Injured As Troops Kill 12 Terrorists

Two soldiers have been reportedly killed during a fresh gun battle between suspected terrorists and troops of the Nigerian Army.

The soldiers were killed suspected members of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attempted to attack a military operational base in Bula community.

“The terrorists, who came mounted on Gun trucks and several motorcycles attacked the location via an unsuspected crossing point but were met with a heavy volume of fire from the vigilant troops,” a statement by the army’s Director Public of Relation, Onyema Nwachukwu, read.

The attack, which took place on Sunday, was reportedly foiled by troops in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai.

“The Land troops, in their usual dexterity swiftly and decisively engaged the terrorists, subsequently forcing them to retreat, having lost initiative.

“The troops sustained the firefight and successfully neutralised 12 terrorists, with several others fleeing with gunshot wounds.

“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,” said the army.

The army subsequently recovered one Gun Truck, one Self Propelled Gun-9, one Dushika Gun, one mounted QJC Machine Gu, one Light Machine Gun and five AK 47 Rifles from the terrorists.

Reacting to the incident, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, lauded the troops for their synergy and quick response.

He said the operation was in “tandem with the ongoing rejigging of the counter-terrorism counter-insurgency operations in the North East”.

Yahaya charged the troops to maintain the tempo and deny the terrorists freedom of action.

“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,” the statement read.

Over the weekend, the COAS had visited the troops in Yobe, urging them to destroy all Boko Haram and ISWAP enclaves in their various locations.

He enjoined the troops to use their wealth of experience and lessons learnt from series of operations to tackle the insurgents.

He assured them of improved welfare and a new reward system for troops who perform gallantly in any operation.