The Nigerian Army today confirmed the loss of three men and some equipment during yesterday’s Boko Haram attack on Sector 1 of its 27 Task Force Brigade located at Geidam in Yobe State.
In a statement, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, said that the attack was successfully repelled by the troops and some reinforcements and that they killed most of the terrorists and destroyed their weapons and equipment.
He further stated that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, who was on an operational visit to the North East, paid a personal visit to the location to assess the damage done, and warned the officers that such an ugly incident should not be allowed to happen again.
“The COAS also drove into the town and further assessed damage by the terrorists and gave further directives to the troops for the defence and improved security of the general area,” Col. Usman said. He said the army chief met with some community leaders and the staff of Idris Aloma Polytechnic, and assured them of their safety and improved security.
The spokesman said Lt. General Buratai was received at Geidam by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major General Hassan Umaru, and the Acting Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade, who led the reinforcement team on Wednesday night.
The COAS was accompanied on the visit by the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Yusha’u Abubakar; the Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Major General Fatai Alli; the Acting Director of Military Intelligence; the Acting Provost Marshall and Director of Campaign Planning; the Acting Director Army Public Relations; and the Liaison Officer of the Multinational Joint Taskforce.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to assure the public that this isolated incident would not be allowed to repeat itself,” the statement continued. “We reaffirm our determination and commitment to [root] out the Boko Haram terrorists in all their enclaves before the end of this year.”