The Defence Headquarters after an investigation has announced that troops, `Operation Hadin Kai`, have during its encounter at Sabon Gari Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno state eliminated 34 terrorists The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement today, making reference to the encounter that took place on Jan. 4, when an unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and Gun trucks engaged the troops.
Mr Buba added that it was unfortunate the troops lost about six of its men to the terrorists when they surprised the troops to retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants recently ambushed and killed by the troops.
According to him, unknown to the terrorist, the troops were just returning from a patrol back to base when they foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced.
In his statement, “Additionally, troops` reinforcement team comprised of elements of Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilante as well as hybrid forces timely arrival to the scene to overpower the terrorists.
“Furthermore, though troops` reinforcement team encountered an Improvise Explosive Device, injuring the Vigilante Commander.
“The reinforcement team arrived timely to decimate the fleeing terrorist,” he said.
Mr Buba added that the air component also intervened immediately through an air raid on the fleeing terrorists with several terrorists eliminated and weapons recovered.
“On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons were recovered.
“Troops also recovered with over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunitions,” he added.
Meanwhile, six personnel of the military, whose names are yet to be disclosed, were killed on the front line.
He revealed that withholding their names was part of military administrative procedures before notifying their Next of Kin and family members.
“On the whole, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation.
“Accordingly, troops remain committed to the course of defeating the terrorists,” Buba concluded.
NAN