The reported killing of 20 soldiers of the Nigerian Army by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the North-East Theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole has been dismissed as false.
The denial was contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Yerima on Thursday.
According to Yerima, an online report titled: “Nigerian Army keeps mum as Boko Haram terrorists kill 20 Soldiers In Borno” is false, fake and baseless.
The Army spokesman also said the report was aimed at discouraging the public and demoralising troops on the untiring efforts in the overall fight against insurgency, insisting that there was no attack where 20 soldiers were killed in the entire Theatre.
He also disclosed that the recent attacks on troops providing security for road construction workers along Goniri–Kafa on Feb. 5 and in Geidam on Feb. 9 were decisively dealt with.
He further stated that the attack on the troops along the road construction site and the attempt to infiltrate Geidam town by the terrorists were swiftly and professionally cleared by the Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) and elements of 159 Task Force Battalion.
According to Yerima, soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while two others who sustained injuries were currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility.
He also disclosed that Boko Haram and ISWAP are on the run and desperate for foods, drugs and logistics from soft targets for survival as their camps, routes and enclaves have been destroyed, blocked and manned by troops of Operation “TURA TAKAIBANGO.”
He said that troops also overpowered terrorists mounted on eight gun trucks, motor bikes and foot soldiers who attempted attack on troops of 3 Battalion at Rann in Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno on Feb. 9, adding that the troops held their ground and instantly destroyed one terrorists’ gun truck.
“With swift air support during the attack, the terrorists lost initiative and had to scamper for safety due to heavy aerial bombardments, while additional four terrorists’ gun trucks were completely destroyed as several of their members were killed while others fled with gunshot wounds.
The situation within the Rann general area is under control by our troops and members of the community are going about their normal activities.
“Members of the general public are therefore requested to continue to cooperate with the Nigerian Military to fight both the terrorists and peddlers of fake and unsubstantiated stories.
“We shall continue to remain focus and determined to perform our constitutional roles and responsibilities professionally in the protection of the sovereignty of our nation, ensure the safety of lives and property, while we clear the terrorists and their cohorts within the region,” Yerima said.
