Army confirms 14 killed in Boko Haram ambush

THE military yesterday confirmed that about 13 personnel and a
police officer were killed in an ambush laid by Boko Haram
insurgents on Damaturu-Maiduguri road on Monday.

But the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has
urged troops in the Northeast to remain focused in wiping out the
terrorists.

It noted that the military personnel and the police officer were
killed while extricating themselves from the ambush.

A statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col.
Onyema Nwachukwu, said that a soldier was killed in another
encounter with terrorists at Kureta in Damaturu Local Government
Area of Yobe State.

Col Nwachukwu, who is the spokesperson of the Theatre Command of
Operation Lafiya Dole, said the bodies of the gallant soldiers and
the policeman as well as wounded soldiers had been evacuated.

He said: “Troops repelled a Boko Haram terrorists’ attack on a
Forward Operational Base at Kukareta in Damaturu Local Government
Area of Yobe state.

“The terrorists, who attacked the location at about 6.30 pm, met
with prompt and fierce response of the vigilant troops who engaged
and overpowered them, killing several of the terrorists.
Unfortunately however, a soldier was wounded in the encounter.

“In another encounter, troops of 1 Division on escort duty along
Damaturu -Maiduguri Road yesterday fought through an ambush staged
by Boko Haram terrorists. The gallant troops engaged the terrorists
in a fire fight, courageously wading through the ambush.

“Sadly, 13 military and police personnel, including a police
officer, paid the supreme price while extricating themselves from
the ambush. A clearance operation to pursue and eliminate the Boko
Haram terrorists ambush party is still ongoing.

“The bodies of the gallant soldiers and the policeman and the
wounded have been evacuated. The wounded soldier is currently
receiving treatment.”

However, a statement by Army’s spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman
said the COAS visited the troops during the holiday to boost their
morale, urging them to remain resolute in wiping out the terrorists
from the northeast.

Brig.-Gen. Usman said: “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen.
TY Buratai along with Principal Staff Officers, Corps Commanders
and other senior officers of the Nigerian Army held a Christmas
luncheon with troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the Northeast of
Nigeria.

“Specifically, the COAS was at Forward Operation Base (FOB)
Delwa, Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State where he
felicitated with the officers and soldiers of the FOB and 7
Division Garrison on Wednesday 26th December 2018.

“In his address to the troops, he paid tribute to the gallant
officers and soldiers that that paid the supreme price in the
course of fighting terrorism and insurgency. He also congratulated
the troops for their bravery and steadfastness.

“The COAS further informed the troops that the government and
Nigerians appreciate their efforts. He also said that the President
has promised total support to the military in order to bring the
conflict to logical end.

“He, however, warned the troops to be wary of Boko Haram
terrorists’ misinformation and propaganda aimed at demoralising the
troops to break their cohesion and fighting spirit.”

The COAS told the troops: “You have decimated the Boko Haram
terrorists, but they want to brainwash you through propaganda. You
should not believe their lies and misinformation.

“There are several elements who don’t wish Nigeria well hence
their concerted efforts to bring disaffection among the officers
and soldiers into logger head through false information and claims
on the social media.”

He promised that Army under his watch, would continue to do its
best for the soldiers, adding that the officers love soldiers more
than anyone else and will never play with troops welfare and
well-being.

Gen. Usman said: “The COAS also said that the Nigerian Army have
made significant progress and sacrifices in the fight against
terrorism and insurgency in the country, what is remaining is to
clear the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists through offensive
actions, long range patrols and ambushes.”

The highlight of the occasion was field training by the troops,
and a lunch in which Lt. Gen. Buratai, Prinicpal Staff Officers,
Theatre Commander, GOC 7 Division and Commander Sector 2 Operation
LAFIYA DOLE personally served the soldiers with food and
drinks.

“Those that accompanied the COAS included: the Chief of Training
and Operations (Army), Maj-Gen. LO Adeosun, the Director Military
Intelligence, Maj-Gen SA Adebayo, Chief of Account of Budget
(Army), Maj-Gen CU Agunlanna, Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA
DOLE, Maj-Gen BA Akinroluyo and the Acting Provost Marshal (Army),
Brig.-Gen. H Ahmed.

“Others were: the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division,
who is also Commander Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Brig.Gen.
Bulama Biu and Commander Sector 2 and Brig.-Gen. MB Dala, amongst
others.

“The COAS was also represented by other Principal Staff
Officers, Corps Commanders and other senior officers at the various
locations of Nigerian Army deployments in Operation LAFIYA DOLE,
where they also had lunch with the troops and deliver his goodwill
message and words of encouragement. The visitation to troops
locations and celebrations with them continues.”

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