THE Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Hadin Kai have eliminated 34 terrorists in an encounter at Sabon Gari Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement, yesterday, said the encounter took place, when unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorist riding on motorcycles and trucks engaged the troops.
Buba said the terrorists had attempted to surprise the troops to retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by the troops.
According to him, the terrorists were taken unawares when the troops returning to base foiled their planned attack as soon as their attack was about to commence.
“Additionally, troops reinforcement team comprised of elements of Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilante as well as hybrid forces timely arrived the scene to overpower the terrorists.
“Furthermore, though troops` reinforcement team encountered Improvised Explosive Devices, injuring the Vigilante Commander.
“The reinforcement team arrived timely to decimate the fleeing terrorists,” he said
Buba said the air component also conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists with several terrorists eliminated and weapons recovered.
“On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons recovered. “Troops also recovered with over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunitions,” he added.
Buba said that six personnel, whose names are yet to be disclosed, were killed in action.
He said that withholding their names was to allow administrative procedures of notifying their Next of Kins.
“On the whole, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation.
“Accordingly, troops remain committed to the course of defeating with the terrorists,” he said. (NAN)
