By Agbenu Oyale, Abuja
Two soldiers and 12 Boko Haram terrorists were killed on Monday as troops engaged the bandits in a shoot-out. Gun trucks and arms were recovered during the duel.
Director, Army Public Relation, Brig. Gen. Onyeama Nwanchukwu in a statement circulated to the media disclosed that the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist tried to attack a Forward Operation Base, at Bula Yobe in Borno State where they met their waterloo.
He said five soldiers sustained injuries and have been evacuated for treatment at a medical facility.
The Army Spokesman noted that the operation was largely successful due to the proper coordination between the Air component of Operation Hadin Kai and the ground troops, adding that arms including gun trucks and other lethal weapons were recovered from the terrorists.
The statement also conveyed the happiness of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Faruoq Yahaya over the swift and decisive response of the troops in dealing a heavy blow on the terrorists, while urging them to sustain the tempo.
The statement reads in full: “Troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI on Sunday, 27 June, 2021 dealt a devastating blow on marauding Boko Haram (BHT) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) while attempting to infiltrate the Forward Operational Base at Bula Yobe in Borno State.
“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 troops sustained the fire fight and successfully neutralised 12 terrorists, with several others fleeing with gunshot wounds. The troops gallantly captured one Gun Truck, one Self-Propelled Gun-9, one Dushika Gun and one mounted QJC Machine Gun. Other items captured are one Light Machine Gun and five AK 47 Rifles.
“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.”