Nigerian Military Kills Over 100 Boko Haram Members, Loses 7 Soldiers…As Bomb Blast Kills 16 In Yobe

Troops of the Nigerian military and Boko Haram fighters were locked in fierce battles across Yobe state today, at the end of which at least over 100 insurgents who attempted to take over the headquarters of the 120 Task Force Battalion in Yobe state were killed. At the end of fighting in the early hours of today, seven (7) Nigerian soldiers were also killed while an officer and eight other soldiers sustained serious injuries.

According to the military, the battle which occurred at Goniri, saw the alert Nigerian Army troops, repel the terrorists who came in droves seeking to re-establish a base in Yobe state and capture the arms and ammunition armoury of the Battalion.

A statement detailing the operation, signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relation, Col. Sani Usman said, “Fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in a great sign of desperation and to create an impression that they remain relevant, at the early hours of today made a futile attempt on 120 Task Force Battalion troops located at Goniri, Yobe State.

“During the encounter, our gallant troops successfully repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualty on the invading terrorists as all of them were killed. After the encounter, the troops recovered a sizeable number of arms; ammunitions and other equipment from the terrorists.

“These include 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenades, 9 AK-47 rifles and belted rounds of 7.62 (NATO) ammunitions. Others were various wires used for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 7 Primed IEDs, different types of Spanners and a Torch Light.

“The troops have consolidated on the encounter and are more determined to defend their location and continue to serve as blocking force to any fleeing terrorists from the Nigerian Air Force aerial bombardments and other troop’s artillery fire”.

Continuing Usman said, “In a related development, troops of 21 Brigade on fighting patrol from Bama to Ngurosoye, have destroyed Boko Haram terrorists camps along that axis. While on patrol, the brave soldiers came across some of the terrorist’s hideouts that also served as fabricating area for IEDs and the terrorists’ training area.

“Another patrol along Bama-Kawuri axis discovered and exhumed IEDs and wires for detonation. It is important to reiterate that the Nigerian Army along with the support of the Nigerian Air Force and other Security Agencies would not relent in its determined effort of defeating Boko Haram terrorists.”

Meanwhile, Sixteen people have been confirmed dead and 10 others injured in multiple explosions on Wednesday morning in Damaturu, Yobe State capital. Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Musa Idi, confirmed the figure to newsmen in Damaturu.

The explosions took place around Ministry of Housing quarters and Buhari Housing Estate in the Yobe state capital even as normalcy has since returned to the city as schools opened, while workers and other residents had resumed their normal business.