The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram fighters engaged troops of the Nigerian Army in a fierce battle in Borno State, leading to the death of three soldiers.
The encounter occurred on Monday in the Kukawa and Monguno areas as troops from Sector 3 of the Nigerian Army, under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), faced a coordinated attack by the insurgents.
Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the Chief Military Information Officer at the MNJTF Headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad, confirmed the incident in a statement. According to Osoba, the military dealt a significant blow to the terrorists during the operation.
“The operation resulted in the elimination of terrorists and recovery of valuable assets,” Osoba stated. He further revealed that the terrorists launched an attack using suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) but were countered with superior firepower from the troops.
“Following intense air and artillery bombardments and ground assault, five terrorists were neutralized, while several others fled with gunshot wounds,” Osoba added.
The military also destroyed three VBIEDs and captured 40 motorbikes equipped with assorted weapons, four anti-aircraft guns, and one rocket-propelled grenade. However, three soldiers lost their lives during the encounter.
Osoba commended the troops’ bravery, emphasizing the MNJTF’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety of people in the Lake Chad region.
