The Nigerian Army on Sunday confirmed the killing of Eight suspected Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to infiltrate the serene town of Michika in Adamawa State on January 2, 2020 while a total of 455 captives were rescued by the troops in different locations in some parts of northern Nigeria.

A statement by Col Aminu Iliyasu, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Officer, attributed the success to a “The combined troops of 217 Tank Battalion and elements of 144 Battalion swiftly rose in defence of the town and repelled the said attack with devastating consequences on the criminal insurgents.

He said, “The criminals went to the town in Gun Trucks and motorcycles late afternoon and began sporadic shootings that caused an uproar in the peaceful Community thus compelling law-abiding residents to scamper for safety.

“Nevertheless, the courageous troops immediately mobilized, blocked and engaged the criminals with overwhelmingly superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their heinous intentions and retreat in disarray, albeit with a high casualty in men and equipment.

“In the end of the encounter, 2 Boko Haram criminals were neutralised while unconfirmed numbers of both dead and wounded criminal elements were believed to have been hauled away by the withdrawing insurgents as indicated by the traces of their blood found along their withdrawal route.

“Additionally, one Boko Haram Gun Truck mounted with Anti-Aircraft Gun, 2 AK 47 Rifles, 4 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 2 motorcycles, one machete, some quantities of provision, food items, drugs as well as Improvised Explosives Devices detonating wires were captured by the gallant troops.

“In a related development, on the same day, troops of 144 Battalion responded to a distress call on an impending Boko Haram criminals’ attack on Kopa Village in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State.

“Enroute to the Village, the troops encountered a Boko Haram criminals’ ambush established to prevent troops counteraction against their assailant on the town.

“In a rare demonstration of bold action, the troops effectively cleared the ambush as well as the subsequent meeting engagement which they had with the criminals’ main body at Kopa Village”, according to him.

He said, during the twin encounter, 4 Boko Haram elements were neutralized.

Besides, one Boko Haram Gun Truck, 2 motorcycles, one Anti-Aircraft Gun and 2 AK 47 Rifles were captured by the troops.

“Other items captured include 5 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 2 bandoliers containing 311 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 250 rounds of Anti-Aircraft Gun ammunition, one incendiary bomb, one 36 Hand Grenade, drugs and some First Aid Kits.

“Regrettably, one officer and one soldier were wounded in action as a result of both encounters.

“The wounded personnel have been evacuated to a military medical facility and are in stable condition.

“It is gratifying to note that peace and tranquillity have since returned to the Community.

‘Additionally, on January 4, 2020, some defiant Boko Haram criminals who attempted to attack the Headquarters of 29 Task Force Brigade location at Jakana in Konduga LGA of Borno State were outgunned and handed a devastating defeat.

“The criminal insurgents approached the troops’ location in 6 Gun Trucks and a number of foot soldiers.

“However, the unwavering troops engaged the criminal insurgents in a fierce firefight forcing them to scamper for their lives in utter confusion.

“At the end of the encounter, 6 Boko Haram criminals were neutralized.

“Additionally, one General Purpose Machine Gun, 3 AK 47 Rifles, 535 rounds of 7.62mm x 51 NATO (Belted) ammunition and one Rocket Propelled Gun bomb were captured from the insurgents.

“Regrettably, one soldier paid the supreme price while 2 others were wounded in action during the encounter.

“The wounded personnel were evacuated to a military medical facility and are responding positively to treatment.

“It is heartwarming to note that, one of the recently inducted locally produced Mine – Resistant Ambush – Protected (MRAP) Vehicles, the indigenous Proforce MRAP, which was employed during this encounter proved to be a reliable war-fighting machine, as it provided the required mobility, protection, firepower and manoeuvrability for the fighting troops.

“The lethal war machine has thus been certified to be a highly successful effort at local defence equipment manufacture.

“In a separate incident, on 2nd January 2020, troops of 159 Task Force Battalion deployed at a Check Point along the Main Supply Route Damasak-Kareto in Mobbar LGA of Borno State rescued 4 minors aged between 10 – 14 years old.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from Damasak in 2015 by the Boko Haram criminal elements.

“The rescued minors narrated their ordeal in the hands of the Boko Haram criminals and how they escaped from a camp in Tumbun Gini during a recent onslaught by troops.

“It is heartwarming that the parents of the rescued minors were contacted and they have all identified their wards amid tears of joy.

“The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai commends the troops’ resilience and doggedness against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province hereby urges them to keep the pressure on the adversaries that are waging war against our collective peace, security and existence until they are completely wiped out of our national frontiers”, the statement said.

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