TheCable

Boko Haram insurgents attacked troops in Borno state with anti-aircraft guns, the Nigeria army confirmed on Thursday.

A soldier on the war front had earlier confided to TheCable that the insurgents use anti-aircraft guns to attack the troops, forcing many of them to flee from battle.

On Thursday, Sani Usman, army spokesman, issued a statement to say soldiers were attacked by insurgents “who came in anti-aircraft guns”, but he added that they were warded off.

“Yesterday, Wednesday 4th May 2016 about 7.00pm in the evening, Boko Haram terrorists attacked our troops involved in the clearance and rescue operations in Sambisa forest nicknamed ‘Operation Crackdown’, while on harbour,” he said.

“The terrorists came in five Toyota Hilux vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns which they fired along with 81mm mortar. The battle-ready troops rose to the occasion and repelled the attack and pursued the terrorists that withdrew in disarray towards the river line of Izza-Mainyakare axis.

“The attack lasted for about 40 minutes without any casualty on our troops while an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists were killed. The troops recovered an 81mm mortar tube from the terrorists.

“The troops maintain highest level alertness and vigilance at the harbour area. They will further exploit and continue with the clearance operation.”

Usman also disclosed that troops of the seventh division rescued 400 persons in an operation to clear some villages of the insurgents.

“Troops of the seventh division based on information received, conducted a special operation at Chingurimi, Walasa and Masa villages which were believed to have large concentration of abducted women and children were held hostages by the Boko Haram terrorists on Wednesday 4th May 2016,” he said.

“The troops killed quite a number of Boko Haram terrorists and rescued 17 women, an old man and 24 children at the area. They also recovered 1 AK-47 rifle, 6 rounds of 7.62mm, 295 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), 12 Dane Guns, 21 unserviceable mobile telephone handsets and one serviceable as well as150 different SIM cards.

“In all, the troops rescued over 400 persons held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists were freed by the troops.”