In the latest in a series of firefights with the Boko Haram, the Nigerian Military issued a press release that suggests they have won the latest skirmish in confronting the group in recent days. The release, issued by Chris Olukolade, Major General and the Director of Defense Information issued this statement.
In the latest in a series of firefights with the Boko Haram, the Nigerian Military issued a press release that suggests they have won the latest skirmish in confronting the group in recent days. The release, issued by Chris Olukolade, Major General and the Director of Defense Information issued this statement.
“Troops conducting (the) anti-terrorists campaign in North-Eastern Nigeria have successfully averted (an) attempted massive raid on villages in Borno, and Adamawa States, during the weekend. The terrorists who were on their way to attack selected communities, were ambushed by troops along Biita, in Borno State, on receiving (an) intelligence report of the terrorists’ intention (s).
“The attack was launched on the terrorists as they filed out of the forest to embark on their mission at about 10pm on Saturday. Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued, while 30 rifles, 36 Hand Grenades, 7 Machine guns, and 11 Rocket Propelled grenade tubes were captured by the troops. Also recovered from the terrorists were over 3,500 rounds of ammunition, 6 smoke grenade canisters, and locally fabricated guns as well as 4 vehicles used by the terrorists in the foiled attack.
“The four soldiers who were wounded in the operation are currently receiving medical treatment in the military medical facility. (A) Cordon and search (effort) is ongoing in the general area.
It is not clear if international assistance from France, Britain, China or the U.S. to the Nigerian military played a role in this confrontation. The use of Drones, both manned and unmanned, and other military assistance to the Nigerians has surfaced in recent weeks, as the search for the nearly 300 schoolgirls continues. Yet, intelligence here played a major role in the location, weaponry, troop numbers, equipment, and which towns that were targeted by the Boko Haram, that resulted in what appears to be a successful confrontation by Nigerian forces over the recent weekend.