The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a colonel, captain, and three other soldiers in a clash with Boko Haram insurgents on Wednesday in Borno State.
“A Colonel and a Captain, as well as 3 soldiers on transit from Maiduguri to Damaturu, run into an ambush staged by the routed/fleeing terrorists from the Jakana axis which led to their unfortunate death,” an army spokesman Ado Isa said.
Isa said that the troops of 212 Battalion at Forward Operating Base (FOB), Jakana, neutralised an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram, ISWAP terrorist who attempted to infiltrate the army base in need of logistics.
He stated that the terrorists the army base at about 18:45 hours in 7 Gun Trucks and fought fiercely to infiltrate the camp, but the attack was thwarted with heavy fire and bombardment by the Nigerian troops who were vigilant.
The army spokesman said the terrorists could not bear the firepower of the army and lost a significant number of both equipment and personnel in an exchange of fire. He, however, did not state the number of terrorists that died in the fight.
Isa said the terrorists lost initiative and withdrew in disarray along the Benisheikh to Damaturu axis, and abandoned a damaged utility gun truck which was earmarked to convey looted items.