Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of an officer and six soldiers on Sunday in a counterinsurgency operation in Mainok, Borno State, North-East part of the country.
This was disclosed in a statement signed on Monday by Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Police Restore Normalcy In Iyana Iba/Alaba Rago
He said five other soldiers who sustained various degrees of injuries were taken to the military medical facility for treatment.
The army spokesman however did not give details on how the men died.
The statement comes at the heels of reports that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) accidentally hit the wrong coordinates while targeting Boko Haram insurgents.
Although, the NAF said it was investigating the airstrike and would give an update as soon as it could.
“On Sunday 25 April 2021, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Mainok, Borno State, came under multi-directional attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists mounted on an unconfirmed number of Gun Trucks as well as foot soldiers with the possible intent of establishing a phantom caliphate in the town.
READ ALSO: Ojukwu Varsity Students Flee Hostels Over Fear Of Reprisal Attack
“The terrorists were held by the gallant troops of 156 Task Force Battalion until the arrival of reinforcement teams from 7 Division, Special Army Super Camp Ngamdu and Army Super Camp 4, Benesheik,” the army spokesman said on Monday.
He explained further that “during the firefight which lasted several hours, the gallant troops tactically lured a number of the terrorists into a killing zone within their camp where the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole scrambled Alpha jets and helicopter gunboats which took turns in decimating the already trapped terrorists.
“In the aftermath of the encounter, scores of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised with their body parts littering the area and a number of their gun trucks destroyed.
“Regrettably, one gallant Officer and six soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while 5 other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries.
“The wounded soldiers have already been evacuated to the military medical facility for treatment. Currently, troops are in full control of Mainok and environ as exploitation for fleeing terrorists is ongoing.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru has applauded troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for their resilience, commitment, and doggedness and further reassured Nigerians of the Army’s unalloyed commitment to defeating Boko Haram/SWAP terrorists while urging citizens to always avail the troops with accurate and timely information for prompt action.”
© ControlTV 2021.
