A Nigerian Army officer and seven soldiers have been killed in a fierce battle against Boko Haram terrorists in Mainok, 60 kilometres from Maiduguri, Borno State, North-East Nigeria.
PRNigeria gathered from security sources that the deadly encounter which occurred at about 1pm on Tuesday before the troops repelled an ambush on 156 Task Force Battalion of Nigerian Army, also left five soldiers wounded and two others still missing in action.
But following the ensuing gun duel, some of the attackers were also battered and killed with many injured.
“Two gun trucks and three anti-aircraft equipment could not be accounted for following the attack,” the source said.
The source also confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers have been recovered and the wounded moved to a medical facility for treatment.
When contacted, the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Colonel Sagir Musa, did not respond to a media enquiry on the incident.
However, another Army Spokesperson informed that the military will issue a formal statement on the issues as details are being expected from the Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole.
There has been a spike in the attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on both military and civilian targets.
Unfortunately, the terrorists have turned the Maiduguri-Damaturu routes into a death Zone and recently killed the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Michika Chapter in Adamawa State among other atrocities.
Meanwhile, Video of an Interaction after the attack between the police and troops of the Nigerian Army.
Personnel of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Borno State, on Tuesday, successfully foiled an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists at Mainok Village, along the Damaturu-Maiduguri Road.
It was gathered that though the insurgents engaged in a heavy gun battle with the SARS troops, they were swiftly overpowered.
In a video clip obtained by PRNigeria, the SARS Commander who led the operation, explained to a senior Army officer on patrol at Mainok, that his men gallantly, professionally and fearlessly repelled the attack, eliminating some of the Boko Haram members.
The Army senior officer, while hailing the SARS troops, appealed for a strong joint-collaboration between the Army troops and Police personnel in prosecuting the counter-insurgency war in Borno, and other parts of the North-East.
A reliable source told PRNigeria, that some of the BH fighters were killed while others escaped with serious injurious during the gun duel.
The SARS troops recovered four gun trucks from the terrorists.
