The Nigerian Army on Saturday confirmed the death of two officers and five soldiers in an attack against fighters of Boko Haram in Borno on Friday.
The development was confirmed in a statement released by the spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu.
According to Nwachukwu, troops of Sector 1 Joint Task Force(JTF) North East(NE), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) neutralized scores of Boko Haram (BH) and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists who invaded Kala Balge town on Friday.
He wrote, “The insurgents attacked troops deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) Rann, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon. Troops gallantly engaged the maurading terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and withdrew in disarray.
“In the fierce battle for Kala Balge, troops defended the town and neutralized 26 BH/ISWAP terrorists. The gallant troops also captured terrorists’ combat vehicles, 18 AK 47 rifles and one M-21 rifle with large quantity of ammunition.
“Several other equipment were also destroyed by troops. Regrettably, two officers and five soldiers paid the supreme price, while three personnel who sustained gun shot wounds are currently receiving medical attention.”
Nwachukwu further stated that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya paid tribute to the military officers and soldiers who lost their lives defending the country.
He added, “he has also commended troops for their gallantry in the North East, especially with the recent successes recorded in Gajiram and the Tumbus.”
