From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Army jas said it killed more than 50 members of the Boko Haram terror group and destroyed several high-calibre arms and ammunition in the Lake Chad area in recent operations.
The Army also disclosed that four of its men on counter-insurgency operations in the North East were killed, while nine others sustained serious injuries in an encounter with the terrorists in Borno State.
Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Sani Usman, who made this known this week, said the incident happened after a Boko Haram vehicle laden with improvised explosive devices (IED) rammed into an MRAP vehicle conveying the soldiers.
Usman said the bodies of the deceased soldiers have been deposited in a mortuary, while the wounded have been taken to 8 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Monguno, for medical attention.
The Army also said the soldiers recovered several other weapons belonging to the terrorists and destroyed their locations in Metele village, Tumbun Gini and Tumbun Ndjamena.
Usman said the feat was recorded in the ongoing Operation Deep Punch 2 being conducted in the various sectors. Usman, in the statement, said: “Troops in Operation Lafiya Dole have been making tremendous progress in the ongoing Operation Deep Punch 2 in the various sectors. So far, the troops have neutralised over 50 Boko Haram terrorists, destroyed and captured high-calibre arms and ammunition, especially in the Lake Chad general area.
“Troops, on January 8, 2018, cleared Boko Haram terrorists in Metele village, Tumbun Gini and Tumbun Ndjamena. During the clearance operations, Boko Haram terrorists abandoned the area in disarray, leaving behind livestock, large quantity of foodstuff, motorcycles and donkeys. Also, in Metele, however, the terrorists attempted to attack troops in harbour but this was stiffly resisted with heavy casualty on Boko Haram terrorists.
“Troops neutralised over 57 of them, destroyed gun trucks and other equipment. The gallant troops also discovered terrorists’ logistics base at Tumbu Ndjamena, which held stocks of fish, foodstuffs, fuel and motorcycles. All these items were promptly destroyed.
“Troops also captured one anti-aircraft gun, 116 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition with metal links, four AK-47 rifles, 57 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition (special), two light machine guns, two rocket-propelled grenade 7 tubes, with one RPG bomb and two already primed 36 hand grenades. Other recovered items include one small solar panel with a Gionee mobile phone, one Holy Qur’an, six Hadith books as well as five gun trucks (which were destroyed).
“Sadly, four of our troops paid the supreme price while nine others were wounded in action. Specifically, a Boko Haram vehicle laden with IEDs rammed into an MRAP vehicle, which exploded, killing three soldiers, a Civilian JTF and wounding the other soldiers. The bodies of the gallant and wounded heroes have been evacuated to 8 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Monguno.”