The Deputy Director, Public Relations of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sagir Musa, has painted a picture of how Boko Haram insurgents took to their heels in a serious gun battle with the soldiers in Borno State.
He said that during the firing, many of the insurgents ran out of the battle ground and that the soldiers gave them a hot chase, resulting in many of them sustaining gun wounds as many weapons were recovered.
In a statement, Colonel Sagir explained that the soldiers had engaged the terrorists with a heavy fire, “causing the terrorists to abandon their weapons and flee in disarray with gun shot wounds.”
He said that the soldiers had intercept the terrorists that disguising themselves as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
He said that the troops of 151 and 202 Battalions of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army, who are operating under Operation LAFIYA DOLE carried out the well coordinated attacks on the insurgents yesterday, Wednesday.
“In furtherance of clearance and blockade Operation DEEP PUNCH II in separate but well-coordinated attacks simultaneously on Wednesday, 4th October…laid ambush on unsuspecting Boko Haram Terrorists along Firgi-Pulka road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.”
Colonel Sagir that after the battle, troops recovered from the ambush site one General Multi-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and one motorcycle.
“They also successfully discovered and safely detonated an unexploded ordnance. However, the troops followed with a hot pursuit, neutralized one terrorist and recovered 6 bundles of zinc.”
He said that also, crack troops of 22 Brigade of Operation LAFIYA DOLE intercepted three Boko Haram terrorists disguised as IDPs and trying to infiltrate a barrier.
“The vigilant troops engaged the suicide bombers forcing them to hastily detonate their suicide vest. The troops recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 magazines with several rounds of ammunition and amongst other items. The troops’ action saved what would have been another evil machination of BHTs ploy to utilize suicide bombing to inflict heavy casualties on soft targets.”
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding(GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General A. B Abubakar has visited 14 Bde Operational Headquarters in Umuahia.
The GOC was reported to have commended the troops for their selfless services to the nation and urged them to continue to respect the rights of others while discharging their duties.
The GOC visited Sub Sector 2, 144 Battalion, location at Ngwa High School, Aba where he was briefed on the state of the exercise.
He and the Commander of the 14 Brigade, Brigadier General A. K Ibrahim were conducted round some hitherto volatile areas in Aba and its environs by the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel A Usman.
He urged the troops to live in peace and harmony with their hosts.
“I am in Aba to oversee the ongoing Exercise and to assure you that law and order has been restored in Aba and the entire Abia State…so, everyone should continue to come in and out of the State to do his legitimate business.”
The Army reported that movement around the city of Aba, the headquarters of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had shown that law and order has been restored and people are carrying out their normal businesses without fear.[myad]
