Boko Haram terrorists , believed to be linked to the Islamic State of West African Province , have attacked a military base in the Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State .
No fwer than five soldiers were killed in the attack, according to a report by The Punch.
The attack took place around 6 pm on Friday , with fears that the soldiers killed were about 15 , although the army in a release on Sunday confirmed that five soldiers killed.
The newspaper futher reported that the troops , during the ensuing gun battle, killed a yet- to-be – ascertained number of terrorists , but some military ammunition had been carted away by the insurgents .
ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters reportedly engaged the troops , attached to the Sector 3 , Operation Lafiya Dole , who were deployed in the Forward Operation Base , Magumeri for hours , until reinforcements came from a neighbouring military base.
The newspaer further reports that the Deputy Director , Army Public Relations , Col . Ezindu Idima , confirmed attack on Sunday, saying that the terrorists attacked Magumeri in search of food supplies but most of them were shot dead , while some escaped with gunshot injuries .
Idima said , “ The troops of Sector 3 had a fierce encounter with the Boko Haram terrorists on Friday . The criminals came in numbers to infiltrate the Magumeri village in order to loot food items and other valuables . The troops effectively thwarted the terrorists ’ plan through their superior firepower.
“ During the encounter, the troops exterminated scores of the insurgents and many escaped with gunshot injuries . A clearance operation has been sustained to deal with the remaining fleeing criminals .
“ Unfortunately , five soldiers paid the supreme price . The Commander , Sector 3 , Maj . Gen . Olufemi Akinjobi , has on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, charged the troops to maintain the momentum to ensure the final defeat of the terrorists . ”
Idima said the military , under the Multinational Joint Task Force, launched Operation Yancin Tafki in February 2019 to deny the terrorists freedom of action and access to foodstuffs , which forced them to resort to looting vulnerable communities .
