ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, has escaped an ambush from the Boko Haram terrorists in northern part of Borno State.
This is coming barely 24 hours after the terrorists group engaged the military in a fierce battle that lasted for several hours in their daring attempt to capture the 113 Battalion at Kareto, close to the border with Niger Republic.
The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, who confirmed the latest development said that the leading convoy of the GOC was about 8.30am Tuesday morning ambushed by suspected terrorists, while enroute to visit troops in Bama.
Usman also confirmed that a soldier lost his life and two others were injured in the attack. He, however, said that the troops “were able to clear the ambush, killing some of the terrorists and recovered vehicle and weapons from them”.
He listed some of the items recovered to include a Toyota Hilux vehicle, two AK-47 rifles and several ammunitions.
The Army spokesman also said that the “GOC has continued his operational visit to Bama, while the body of the late soldier and the wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri”.
He said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai has also spoken with the GOC.
Usman also stated the Nigerian Army’s “unalloyed commitment and determination to continue to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hiding”.
In a related development, the DAPR has also confirmed that two officers and 22 soldiers were wounded in the battle with Boko Haram terrorists in Kareto, Borno State on Monday.
He said the wounded are already being treated at the Military Hospital in Maiduguri.
“Please recall that Boko Haram terrorists attacked our troops location at Kareto, northern Borno State this morning. The troops successfully repelled the attack and killed quite a number of the terrorists.
“The situation has since been brought under control and reinforcement sent. So far our troops had two officers and 22 soldiers wounded in action. All of them have been evacuated to Military Hospital Maiduguri where they are receiving treatment,” the statement read.
The Nigerian troops had on Monday, after more than seven hours of fierce battle, successfully repelled an attack by Boko Haram terrorists at the 113 Battalion in Kareto .
The Army spokesman said the attacks were repelled, due to the timely response of the troops involved air cover as more reinforcement have been deployed
