Defence
Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday, in Abuja, confirmed the killing of 14 Boko Haram
insurgents and death of three soldiers in fierce gun battles between Saturday
and Sunday in Northern Nigeria.
The
DHQ, which gave the confirmation in its update on the mission signed by
Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier-General Chris Olukolade, also
confirmed that seven soldiers were wounded, one missing, while the insurgents
groups were now in disarray, looking for where to hide.
It
said that the Special Forces troops had continued the advance and attacks on
identified terrorists’ camps in the Northern part of the country, as well as
intensified patrols to secure towns and villages from infiltration. The DHQ
also stressed that curfews on identified flashpoints were being enforced.
According to the statement, “dislodged terrorists have been noted to be in
disarray with a large number of them heading backwards various borders.
Their
bases are being deserted but they are making efforts to evacuate most of the large
stock of logistics including scores of vehicles in their holdings. “In the
course of special forces pursuits and operations, a number of encounters have
ensued since yesterday. After a mop up of scenes of battle, 14 terrorists were
confirmed dead, while seven vehicles and 13 telephone handsets were recovered.
A
total of 20 terrorists were apprehended as they fled. Altogether, three
soldiers died, while seven are wounded and are being treated in military
medical facility, one soldier is missing. “Meanwhile, the required
reinforcement and logistics have been delivered to forces in front where the
forces have been engaging a large number of heavily armed terrorists since
yesterday.
“Defence
Headquarters is quite satisfied with the high standard of compliance with
operational order and strict observance of the rules of engagement so far. The
forces have been directed to maintain the robustness of the patrols and
enforcement of curfews where emplaced and ensure that civilians are kept out of
harms way as much as possible.”
Credits
to Ubong Ukpong
Sunnewsonline.com
