TheCable

The Nigeria army on Sunday night said some Boko Haram insurgents killed five of its soldiers in an ambush in Borno state.

Sani Usman, army spokesman, disclosed this in a statement.

He also said three members of a local vigilante were killed in the attack, while 19 soldiers were wounded.

Usman said the troops were attacked after clearance operations at the hideouts of the insurgents in the southern part of Borno.

“Operation Lafiya Dole troops carrying out clearance operations on suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ hideouts in Talala and Ajigin, southern part of Borno state, were ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Ugundiri village, Damboa local government area, Borno state, while returning to base after clearance operations yesterday,” he said.

“Unfortunately, five soldiers, three vigilantes and one Civilian JTF lost their lives during the ambush, while 19 soldiers and one Civilian JTF sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The bodies of the late soldiers and civilians have been evacuated to Maiduguri while the injured are receiving commensurate medical care and are in stable condition.”

However, the army spokesman added that the troops destroyed some heavy weapons of the insurgents.

“The troops destroyed the terrorists’ gun truck and recovered two anti-aircraft guns, two spare gun barrels, one general purpose machine gun, one rocket propelled grenade, one AK-47 rifle and 320 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition,” he said.

“Troops have been mobilised into blocking positions to further neutralise fleeing Boko Haram terrorists.”