MNJTF troops: eliminate 43 Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Diffa, Niger Republic.
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Seven soldiers serving in the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) were killed on Wednesday in the battle against Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Diffa, Niger Republic.
Col. Muhammad Dole, the Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF who disclosed this in a statement from N`Djamena, Chad however said the troops also killed 43 insurgents in the encounter.
He added that a suspected leader of the terrorists was caught alive and a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered while four enemy gun trucks were also destroyed in the battle against the insurgents.
Dole said, “the troops of Sector 4 Diffa, displayed uncommon acts of gallantry and bravery when their location was attacked by BHT/ISWAP criminals in the early hours of Wednesday.”
He said the troops tactically lured the criminals to their effective killing zone, brought heavy fire on them and neutralised scores, while others escaped with various degrees of bullet wound injuries.
“At the end of the encounter, a total of 43 dead bodies of BHT/ISWAP insurgents were scattered around the engagement areas.
“One terrorist suspected to be their leader was caught alive and a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered while four enemy gun trucks were also destroyed.
“Extremely regrettable however, seven gallant MNJTF soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, while four other soldiers sustained various degree of injuries and are being treated in a military hospital,” he said.
Dole disclosed that the Force Commander, MNJTF, Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim, was coincidentally in Diffa on the final leg of his familiarisation/operational visit to the sectors.
He said Ibrahim commended the selfless sacrifice and acts of gallantry demonstrated by the troops.
“While praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased soldiers whom he described as matyrs of freedom, he condoled the families of the deceased and wished the wounded soldiers speedy recovery.
“Ibrahim said, despite the ongoing waves of BHT/ISWAP terrorists surrender, MNJTF forces will continue to take the battle to all identified enclaves of the insurgents.
He described the attacks as futile kicks of a dying horse and further charged the soldiers to brace up, remain alert and deal decisively with remnants of the criminals around the fringes of the Lake Chad region.”