The Nigerian military has confirmed the attack of its troops by Boko Haram terrorists saying about 47 soldiers got killed in the ambush in Borno State.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major-Gen John Enenche, at a press briefing on Tuesday explained that the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole were on clearance and fighting patrol operation to Gorgi in Borno between March 21 and 23.
“During consolidation, they (the troops) were ambushed by elements of Boko Haram terrorists. Sadly, we suffered some casualties in the unfortunate attack,” he said.
@DefenceInfoNG Confirms Boko Haram Attack, Declares 47 Casualties. pic.twitter.com/UOjc9EKTKT
— RootsTv (@rootstvnigeria) March 24, 2020
The DHQ spokesman, however, revealed that the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole scrambled immediately to the scene and provided close air support to the ground troops.
He added that the Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, as well as the fighter jets engaged the insurgents, killing some of the terrorists and immobilizing a gun truck belonging to them.
“Some others (terrorists) who attempted to withdraw were also mopped up by the jets in follow-on attacks.
“The Defence Headquarters commiserate with the families of our fallen gallant heroes who paid the supreme price in the course of defending our fatherland,” Enenche said.
Buhari Expresses Grieve
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his grief over the casualties suffered by the troops in the ambush by the terrorists.
Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on (Media & Publicity) Garba Shehu, on Tuesday, said the “sacrifices of our gallant patriots cannot be quantified, and their sacrifices cannot go in vain,’’
Commiserating with their families and those that sustained injuries he said the death of every soldier causes deep pain because he knows what it means to be a soldier, and fully understands the extreme risks associated with the profession.
President @MBuhari has expressed “profound grief and sorrow’’ over loss of soldiers who were ambushed by terrorists in Gorgi Village, Borno State.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) March 24, 2020
“Despite the tragedies and incidents, we cannot allow anarchists and mass murderers to hold the country hostage.’’
He, therefore, appealed to the military not to allow the incident to affect their morale.
He assured that his administration will continue to motivate and equip them adequately to cope with the complex challenges of unconventional warfare.
