NigerianTroops: Smoke insurgents out of Gudumbali town

Ayorinde Oluokun.

So the Boko Haram terrorists were still  occupying some parts of Nigeria! The military today moved  to flush them out of the occupied towns, waging a multi-front offensive campaign.

The efforts by ground troops of 7 Brigade saw  Gudumbali town in Guzamala local government area of Borno liberated. The push followed Monday’s aerial attacks by NAF on the terrorists’ camps in the area. NAF copters were said to have hit targets, inflicting ‘heavy damage on the terrorists camps.’

According to a statement released on Friday in Abuja by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, the land attack on the town was carried out by troops of 7 Brigade.

The troops killed an unspecified number of the terrorists and destroyed their weapons and equipment. They are now  clearing the area of the remnants of the terrorists.

However, the statement said the Nigerian Military on Friday lost two soldiers to the terrorists in Marte local government area of Borno, while two others were critically injured.

“The troops of 5 Brigade Explosive Ordinance Devices (EOD) unit while advancing towards Dikwa, ran into landmines buried by the terrorists between old Marte and Kerenoa junction.

“The bodies of the two gallant soldiers have been evacuated, to the rear, while the other two wounded soldiers have also been evacuated and are receiving treatment at the military hospital,’’ it said.

According to the statement, the formation also lost a Mowag Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) at the same location.

In spite of the loss, the troops were not deterred as they continued their advance, pursuing the terrorists to their enclaves in Sambisa forest, the statement said.

“Similarly, it is important to note that troops in the various formations and units in Operation LAFIYA DOLE are in very high spirit and more determined to destroy the terrorists camps and enclaves,’’ it emphasised.