Troops of the Nigerian Army and Air Force have killed over 50 persons suspected to be members of the factional and collaborating group of Boko Haram known as Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP and recovered several weapons.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement said troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade with the air support of the Nigerian Air Force gave a hot pursuit to the terrorists during gun battle at Askira Uba local government area of Borno state in which the commander of the 28 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three other soldiers were killed on Saturday by the terrorists.
The Army said the troops of 25 Task Force Brigade in the counter offensive killed top commanders of ISWAP terrorists as well as foot soldiers.
“The gallant troops also unleashed massive destruction on the terrorists’ Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle and several Gun Trucks.
“It would be recalled, that 115 Task Force Battalion had an encounter with ISWAP terrorists in Askira Uba on 13 November 2021, during which the troops aggressively defended their location and followed up with a ferocious counter attack. Unfortunately, the Commander 28 Task Force Brigade along side three of his soldiers paid the supreme price, as they reinforced troops to defend the location.
“While the battle raged, the gallant troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, supported by Air Component of OPHK engaged the terrorists in a hot pursuit. Troops made contact with the fleeing terrorists at Leho village within Askira Uba LGA and in the encounter that ensued, troops eliminated scores of terrorists and destroyed their combat equipment.
“The equipment destroyed by troops include, an MRAP vehicle and 11 Gun Trucks. The troops also recovered large cache of arms and ammunition viz, Five Gun Trucks, two Anti Aircraft Guns, five AK 47 rifles, one HK Machine Gun and one HK Machine Gun links.
“Relatedly, troops of 115 Task Force Battalion conducted a dawn exploitation towards Leho village and environs, where they discovered 3 corpses of the fleeing terrorists and also recovered 2,560 rounds of 7.62mm Special and 29 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition abandoned by the terrorists.
Picture shows Mine Resistance Ambush Protected vehicle recovered from the ISWAP-BOKO Haram terrorists in Borno state
‘In a separate operation, troops have also recovered one AK 47 rifle and uncovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) during a patrol in Karawa village and Baga Fish Dam area respectively. The IED has been safely detonated by a team of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit.
“Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has led a team of top brass of the Nigerian Army to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Commander 28 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu on Sunday 14 November 2021, where he commiserated with families of the fallen heroes. He has also urged the good people of the North East to continue to support the ongoing counter insurgency operations, while reaffirming troops’ renewed operational readiness to aggressively confront the criminal elements”, the Nigerian Army statement reads.