Boko Haram, ISWAP kill six soldiers during battle in Lake Chad

Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists killed six soldiers during exchange of gunfire with troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force in Mallam Fatori Town, an outskirt of Lake Chad, the Nigerian military authorities revealed on Thursday. Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists also suffered collateral damages, losing 22 members in the battle.

The Spokesman of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Colonel Muhammad Dole, in a statement on Thursday indicated that the military operation, code-named SHARAN FAGE, mobilized troops from Sector 3 Monguno (Nigeria) and Sector 4 Diffa (Niger Republic), and heavily supported by Operation HADIN KAI (Nigeria) who targeted Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists hibernating in the vicinity of Mallam Fatori town.

Colonel Muhammad Dole said that the troops met strong resistance from the terrorists, who launched several mortar attacks, laid Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the troops’ route of advance, and further attacks with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).

The troops fought back with courage, compelling the terrorists to flee, abandoning camp.

Colonel Dole narrated that the troops killed 22 Boko Haram terrorists in the battle, destroying five gun trucks, five motorcycles, and several logistic bunkers, including recovering eight AK47 Rifles.

The Spokesman of the Multinational Joint Task Force lamented that six soldiers of the Joint Task Force, identified as two officers and four other ranks from both Nigeria and the Niger Republic, lost their lives in the battle, while about 16 others were injured.

Colonel Dole, however, said that 17 persons were arrested in the general area of operations and are being profiled.