TheCable

The Nigerian army says troops of operation Hadin Kai have killed 12 Boko Haram insurgents.

The insurgents were said to have been engaged by the troops of 152 battalion, while attempting to infiltrate the forward operational base (FOB) at Bula Yobe in Borno state, on Sunday.

Onyema Nwachukwu, army’s spokesperson, in a statement on Monday, said the land troops were supported by the air component of operation Hadin Kai.

According to him, gun trucks and ammunition were recovered from the insurgents.

He, however, noted that two soldiers were killed, while five sustained injuries.

“Troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on Sunday, 27 June, 2021, dealt a devastating blow on marauding Boko Haram ( BHT) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP),” the statement reads.

“The terrorists, who came mounted on gun trucks and several motorcycles, attacked the location via an unsuspected crossing point, but were met with heavy volume of fire from the vigilant troops.

“The land troops, in their usual dexterity, swiftly and decisively engaged the terrorists, subsequently forcing them to retreat, having lost initiative.

“The troops sustained the fire fight and successfully neutralised 12 terrorists, with several others fleeing with gunshot wounds. The troops gallantly captured one Gun Truck, one Self Propelled Gun-9, one Dushika Gun and one mounted QJC Machine Gun. Other items captured are one Light Machine Gun and five AK 47 Rifles.

“Sadly, during the encounter two soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, while five others sustained varying degrees of injury and have been evacuated by the Air component of OPHK to a medical facility, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

“The general area within FOB Bula Yobe is cool and calm under the control of troops of the battalion. Further exploitation by the resilient troops is ongoing.”