The Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) fighters have killed three Nigerian soldiers during a fierce battle to dislodge them from the Kukawa and Monguno communities of Borno State.
The Chief Military Information Officer, Headquarters Multinational Joint Task Force ( MNJTF), N’djamena, Chad, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri.
He said troops deployed from Sector 3 of the Nigerian Army operating under the MNJTF ran into an ambush set up by the insurgents in the area.
Osoba said: “The operation resulted in the elimination of terrorists and recovery of valuable assets.
“The ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists who launched an offensive using suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) were met with superior firepower from the MNJTF Troops.
“Following intense air cum artillery bombardments and ground assault, 5 terrorists were neutralized, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.”
He added that during the operation, the military air assets destroyed three VBIEDs while troops captured 40 motorbikes equipped with assorted weapons, four anti-aircraft guns, and one rocket-propelled grenade.
“Unfortunately three soldiers paid the supreme price. This bold operation underscores the MNJTF’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of the people in the Lake Chad region,” the spokesman stated.