TheCable

Nineteen soldiers and three civilian JTF members “were wounded in action” in the wee hours of Friday, when Boko Haram insurgents ambushed Nigerian troops.

Sani Usman, acting director of army public relations, in a statement, said the troops were returning from a “clearance patrol at Guro Gongon village and environs” when the ambush ensued.

According to the army spokesperson, the soldiers had “destroyed the terrorists’ makeshift camps and recovered quite a number of weapons, equipment and foodstuff” before they fell into the insurgents’ ambush.

“The gallant soldiers basking on the recorded success, returning to their defensive locations, ran into an ambush by a group of Boko Haram terrorists who came to reinforce their fleeing comrades. The troops fought back gallantly killing several of the insurgents.

“Sadly however, 19 soldiers and 3 civilian JTF members were wounded in action while a few others were missing in action.

“The wounded have been evacuated and are responding to treatment, while a search and rescue party comprising of Special Forces personnel has since been dispatched to establish contact with the missing in action troops, some of whom, as at the time of filing this report, have started returning to their defensive location.

“It is pertinent to state that, no stone would be left unturned until every person involved in the operation has been accounted for.”