The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed on Tuesday March 24 that a recent attack by Boko Haram insurgents resulted in the death of at least 47 soldiers.
In a briefing with journalists in Abuja, Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche revealed that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole were ambushed by the insurgents during a clearance and fighting patrol operation to Gorgi in Borno between March 21 and 23.
Eneche disclosed that the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole swiftly responded to the scene and provided close air support to the ground troops, resulting in the killing of some terrorists and immobilization of their gun truck.
The DHQ Spokesperson stated;
“We are in a fluid conflict situation between March 23 to 24, troops who were on a clearance and consolidation operation which was successful were ambushed and we suffered some casualties.
“After the successful operation, the troops were heading to Buk when the Boko Haram insurgents shot at the last vehicle conveying supplies and the bombs exploded in the process killing some of the soldiers and all the insurgents that mounted the ambush.
“Accordingly, air assets, including an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform and fighter jets, were immediately scrambled to provide Close Air Support to the troops. While the ISR platform provided situational awareness to the troops, the fighter jets engaged the BHTs, immobilizing a gun truck and neutralizing some of the terrorists. Some others, who attempted to beat a hasty retreat, were mopped up by the jets in follow-on attacks.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the Northeast, will continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of our Nation.
“The Defence Headquarters commiserate with the families of our fallen gallant heroes who paid the supreme price in the course of defending our fatherland.”
Eneche reassured Nigerians that the military and other security agencies will persist in their offensive against the nation’s enemies, with the goal of restoring peace and security in the North East and other parts of the country.