By Anthony Iwuoma
The Nigerian Army, on Wednesday, said it had killed dozens of Boko Haram insurgents and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during encounters in Mafa, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a statement from the acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, large cache of assorted arms, ammunition and so many variants of gun trucks and other fighting vehicles were also captured from the terrorists. It further disclosed that over 100 women and children were rescued from captivity.
The statement read: “In order to consolidate on the numerous successes so far achieved, the rugged troops of 112 Task Force Battalion deployed at Mafa in Borno State had effectively dealt ruthlessly with members of BHTs/ISWAP terrorists in Mafa, Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, when some terrorists attempted to attack Mafa on 24 June 2019.
“The terrorists failed attack on Mafa was as a result of available intelligence indicating the desperate longing for food and other logistics by terrorists necessitated by the recent, incredibly tireless and ferocious troops’ operational exploits.
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“During the failed attack, terrorists in 5 gun trucks and several motorcycles were seen. Consequently, the troops reacted swiftly with heavy firepower forcing the terrorists to scamper for their dear lives and recovered 2 Gun Trucks mounted with Anti Aircraft Guns and a motorcycle and the extermination of three (3) terrorists. There were indications that some of the insurgents’ members were wounded in an exchange of fire.
“The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu had since visited the conflict location with reinforcement.
“While being conducted round the camp to assess the situation, the GOC urged the troops to remain focus and not to be carried away by the successes. He directed them to redouble their efforts and doggedly maintain the momentum until they win the war on terrorism for Nigeria through total victory against the bandits.
“Similarly, he assured them of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai’s continued appreciation and support in the collective struggle to crush the insurgency,” the statement said.
