The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Tuesday March 24,
confirmed that Boko Haram insurgents killed at least 47 soldiers in a recent
attack.
Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche
disclosed this in a session with journalists in Abuja. He revealed that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole were on
clearance and fighting patrol operation to Gorgi in Borno between March 21 and
23, when they were ambushed by the insurgents.
Eneche said some of the terrorists were killed and their gun
truck was immobilized after the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole
scrambled immediately to the scene and provided close air support to the ground
troops.
The DHQ Spokesperson said;
“We are in a fluid
conflict situation between March 23 to 24, troops who were on a clearance and
consolidation operation which was successful were ambushed and we suffered some
casualties.
“After the successful operation, the troops were heading to
Buk when the Boko Haram insurgents shot at the last vehicle conveying supplies
and the bombs exploded in the process killing some of the soldiers and all the
insurgents that mounted the ambush.
“Accordingly, air assets, including an Intelligence
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform and fighter jets, were
immediately scrambled to provide Close Air Support to the troops. While the ISR
platform provided situational awareness to the troops, the fighter jets engaged
the BHTs, immobilizing a gun truck and neutralizing some of the terrorists.
Some others, who attempted to beat a hasty retreat, were mopped up by the jets
in follow-on attacks.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in furtherance of the
objective of restoring peace and security in the Northeast, will continue to
sustain the offensive against the enemies of our Nation.
“The Defence Headquarters commiserate with the families of
our fallen gallant heroes who paid the supreme price in the course of defending
our fatherland."
Eneche who assurred Nigerians that the military and other
security agencies would continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies
of the nation, added that this would be done in furtherance of the objective of
restoring peace and security in the North East and other parts of the country.
