Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in a battle to capture Kala Balge community in Borno State, killed two officers and five soldiers during exchange of gunfire on Friday with Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).
Army Director of Information, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday acknowledged that three members of the Sector 1 Joint Task Force(JTF) North East(NE), were injured in the attack.
According to General Onyema, “Regrettably, two officers and five soldiers paid the supreme price, while three personnel who sustained gunshot wounds are currently receiving medical attention.”
Onyema stated that the troops, however, overwhelmed scores of terrorists operating in gun trucks and motorcycles.
He narrated that the terrorists attacked troops deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) Rann, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.
General Onyema said: “troops gallantly engaged the marauding terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and withdraw in disarray.
“In the fierce battle for Kala Balge, troops defended the town and neutralized 26 BH/ISWAP terrorists.”
The Army spokesman disclosed that the troops gallantly captured the terrorists’ combat vehicles, 18 AK 47 rifles and one M-21 rifle with a large quantity of ammunition; as well as destroying several equipment.