President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed profound grief and sorrow and palpable pain over the killing of soldiers who were ambushed by terrorists in Gorgi Village, Borno State.He said that the sacrifices of the vgallant patriots cannot be quantified, adding that their sacrifices cannot go in vain.
The President, who sent sympathy message to the families of the fallen heroes as well as to the injured ones, regretted that the death of every soldier causes deep pains because he knows what it means to be a soldier.
He said that he fully understands the extreme risks associated with the profession. He assured however that despite the tragedies and incidents, “we cannot allow anarchists and mass murderers to hold the country hostage.”
The President appealed to the military “not to allow the incident to affect their morale’’. He assured that his administration will continue to motivate and equip them adequately in order to cope with the complex challenges of unconventional warfare.
The Nigerian Army has dispatched a team to assess the situation and is expected to report back to the government.
The President, who sent sympathy message to the families of the fallen heroes as well as to the injured ones, regretted that the death of every soldier causes deep pains because he knows what it means to be a soldier.
He said that he fully understands the extreme risks associated with the profession. He assured however that despite the tragedies and incidents, “we cannot allow anarchists and mass murderers to hold the country hostage.”
The President appealed to the military “not to allow the incident to affect their morale’’. He assured that his administration will continue to motivate and equip them adequately in order to cope with the complex challenges of unconventional warfare.
The Nigerian Army has dispatched a team to assess the situation and is expected to report back to the government.
The Defence Headquarters had earlier confirmed the killing of at least 47 soldiers by members of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Borno State.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche, disclosed this during a session with reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.
Giving an update on the military operations across the country, he noted that Nigeria was in a fluid conflict situation while the troops were at the frontlines.
Enenche explained that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole were on clearance and fighting patrol operation to Gorgi in Borno between March 21 and 23.
“During consolidation, they (the troops) were ambushed by elements of Boko Haram terrorists. Sadly, we suffered some casualties in the unfortunate attack,” he said.
The DHQ spokesman, however, revealed that the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole scrambled immediately to the scene and provided close air support to the ground troops.
He added that the Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, as well as the fighter jets engaged the insurgents, killing some of the terrorists and immobilising a gun truck belonging to them.
“Some others (terrorists) who attempted to withdraw were also mopped up by the jets in follow-on attacks.
“The Defence Headquarters commiserate with the families of our fallen gallant heroes who paid the supreme price in the course of defending our fatherland,” Enenche said.
He assured Nigerians that the military and other security agencies would continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of the nation.
The military spokesman added that this would be done in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the North East and other parts of the country.
Contrary to the figures stated by the DHQ, reports say at least 70 soldiers were killed in the ambush on the security operatives’ convoy.
The insurgents reportedly fired rocket-propelled grenades at a lorry conveying the troops as it travelled near Gorgi village yesterday, March 23.
