ISIS today claims its fighters killed more than 30 Nigerian soldiers and policemen in attack on two towns including Jakana.
Reports however said the #ISIS affiliate group suffered huge casualties after a failed attack on one of the major crossing point in the town of Jakana on the strategic Maiduguri-Damaturu freeway which the group want to have access to.
How Military Repel Attacks
The armed convoy of Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole,
Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi was attacked by Boko Haram Monday near
Auno village, Borno state.
According to him, the ambush along Maiduguri-Damaturu road was a
display of misguided desperation to stage a reprisal attack of Boko
Haram.
The incident occurred, while Adeniyi was returning from Jakana, where
he visited troops’ location, after meeting with Governor Babagana
Zulum at Njimtilo checkpoints.
He said the reprisal attack on convoy, followed the recent
neutralization of over a dozen top Boko Haram commanders last Monday
by troops.
“The Theatre Commander’s convoy came under criminals’ ineffective and
uncoordinated fire from Anti-Aircraft Guns, Machines Guns, Rocket
Propelled Grenades,” stated Col. Aminu Iliyasu, the Army Operations
Media Coordinator in Maiduguri.
On how terrorists were neutralised, Iliyasu said: “In a bold action of
battle, the Theatre Commander led the gallant troops of his convoy to
engage the criminal Boko Haram Insurgents with superior fire power.
“The troops subdue them and thereafter assaulting the ambush site with
his men thereby causing the terrorists to flee the location in
disarray.
“Other senior military officers in the Theatre Commanders’ convoy at
the time of ambush; include Deputy Theatre Commander, Maj-Gen. MG Ali,
Brig-Gen. EI Eze, Brig-Gen. SI Igbinomwanya and Lt. AA Tejuoso.”
He added that in the aftermath of the encounter, several Boko Haram
insurgents were decimated with the recovery of rifles and ammunition.
He said two soldiers were wounded in action during the encounter,
while the wounded soldiers are currently receiving treatment at a
military medical facility.
He said that Adeniyi and Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai
congratulated the troops for their resilience and courage.
He also urged them not to relent in their efforts; until all remnants
of Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP)
criminals are annihilated and defeated.
Again,Zulum Versus the Military
Meanwhile,Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state; has commended the Nigerian
Army for prompt investigation of alleged extortion of travelers and
motorists at military checkpoints.
According to him, the army announced its readiness to immediately
investigate conducts of soldiers in stop and search of passengers at
checkpoints along Maiduguri-Damaturu road.
Spokesman to the Governor, Isa Gusau yesterday (Tuesday) in Maiduguri,
stated that the speedy response of Army; reaffirms the exemplary
leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
He said Buratai and other Service Chiefs have done so much for Borno
and the nation.
His words: “The decision to immediately investigate some conducts
around Njimtilo in the course of (the absolute necessity to search
vehicles for security purpose) only reaffirms what all Nigerians
already do of the exceptional leadership style Buratai.
“The leadership of the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole,
Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi and other officers has given so much in
trying to find peace in the state.
“Zulum’s encounter with security personnel in Njimtilo yesterday
happened spontaneously.
“He was on his way to Jakana to meet citizens over a recent attack by
insurgents. Going to Jakana required the Governor’s convoy passing
through Njimtilo.
“He is to serve the people under every situation, he could not drive
pass the gridlock he saw around Njimtilo, hence he needed to step in”
“Last Monday’s encounter does not and will not change the very high
regard the Governor has for all the security personnel operating in
Borno.”
He said the soldiers have particularly give up their lives and safety
in restoring peace in the state.
Iliyasu said that the troops have put their lives on the line
operating on high ways, where insurgents try to ambush them.
According to him, the Governor recognizes all of these and the fact
that the military needs and deserves his support and cooperation of
all citizens.
He said that the civil-military cooperation would be improved to end
Boko Haram insurgency that claimed many lives and property.
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