From SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
More than 20 members of Boko Haram insurgents and nine soldiers were reported to have been killed again in a road ambush along Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road in Birno State.
Sources also said that one soldier lost his life in another ambush along Pulka-Ngoshe road behind Gwoza Hills in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.
The Maiduhuri-Damboa road incident, according to the sources, occurred separately on Saturday within the vicinity of Dogon Waye (Unused NITEL Masts,) which is located at about 45 km along Maiduguri – Damboa road.
Describing the Pulka -Ngoshe road incident, the source said, “incident took place at Bokko settlement (Pulka/Bokko ward) in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state, where 10 people were seriously injured and some soldiers were said to be missing in action.”
According to the source, “The troops were heading to their base at Bokko area of Ngoshe town situated along Pulka – Ngoshe road , behind Gwoza Mandara mountain which shares border with Cameroun Republic.”
One of the eye witnesses, who was also a survivor passenger who gave his name as Ali Isa said he narrowly escaped the attack.
He said, “Several members of Boko Haram sect laid ambush along Damboa road at about 2pm and opened fire targeting military escort vehicles, which led to exchange of gunfire, a situation that made many victims to fled into the bush for safety.”
Ali Isa said that a lot of people, including some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in company of the security escort vehicles, had to engage the terrorists, with many victims still missing at time of going to the press.
A surviving member of the Civilian-JTF, who is not authorized to talk to the press, but luckily escaped unhurt during the ambush, confirmed to our Correspondent on Sunday that over 20 terrorists and nine soldiers died in the attack.
“During the clash, more than 20 terrorists were killed, unfortunately, we also lost nine of our soldiers that were escorting the Motorists or travellers from Maiduguri to Damboa,” the source said.
“The suspected Boko Haram Insurgents or attackers have also gone away with a patrol vehicle belonging to our vigilante operatives who were also part of the escort team.” the CJTF member added
Another source, a motorist who maneuvered and made a u-turn back to Maiduguri, Mallam Usman Abdulahi said ,”the attackers did not confront civilian travellers. They were just after the military operatives as the civilian were not attacked by the Insurgents except the soldiers “.
However, the military authorities were yet to make any comment on the reported attacks. An SMS was sent to the acting Director , Nigerian Army Public Relations Headquarters Abuja , Colonel Sagir Musa for comment on the attacks but it was not replied at the time of going to press
Although Col. Musa picked a phone call put to him, he however replied: “”Sorry, I cant attend to you now as I am on transit.”
Leave a Reply