Molly Kilete, Abuja
Soldiers on counter-insurgency operations in the North East have killed five terrorists and recovered anti-aircraft guns and other weapons in Buni-Yadi, Yobe State.
The terrorists met their end after they tried to attack a military location in Gujba Local Government Area of the state.
Sadly, one officer and three soldiers lost their lives in the attack, while five soldiers who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment at the Brigade Field Ambulance.
Acting director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, who disclosed this in a statement at the weekend, said the terrorists attacked the base armed with four gun trucks, one mine-resistant Ambush Protection, one MOWAC and assorted arms and ammunition.
Sagir’s statement, which was made available to the Daily Sun, read: “Five members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have met their Waterloo, as they, along with other members of the group, attempted woefully to ransack a military base at Buni-Yadi, in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, at about 06:05 hours (pm) on Saturday, February, 16, 2017.
“Though the terrorists appeared prepared for the attack, as they approached the military location with four gun trucks, one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protection, one MOWAC and assorted arms and ammunition, they, however, suffered heavy losses as five of them were effectively deleted. Items recovered from them included nine AK-47 rifles, one anti-aircraft gun, 121 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition, two 36 hand grenades, 295 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four improvised explosive devices (IEDs), one IED cylinder, one RPG bomb, one RPG bomb charger, one gun truck and one Bajaj motorcycle.
“Unfortunately, an officer and three soldiers lost their lives during the encounter, even as five soldiers, who were wounded, are stable and receiving treatment in the Brigade Field Ambulance.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has already commended, in general terms, the successes being recorded by troops in recent times, in the various operational arenas, especially in the North East, and enjoined all personnel to remain resolute, alert and decisive as well as professional in the discharge of the onerous national assignment.
“Nigerian Army hereby expresses appreciation to all those who passed timely, credible information that aided the successful abortion of this obviously deliberate attempted attack on troops p