A Nigerian Army lieutenant has been killed in an ambush by the dreaded Islamic insurgents, Boko Haram in Borno state, Daily Trust reports.
During the attack which occurred around the Lake Chad area of the state, on Saturday, the dreaded insurgents also killed some members of the vigilante assisting the armed forces fighting the insurgents in state, one of the epicenters of the insurgency.
According to the newspaper, the military had successfully took control of the Boko Haram enclave in Krenowa, Marte Local Government Area, five days earlier, after which the insurgents launched a counter attack.
Sources revealed that the attack on the soldiers from the 50 Task Force Brigade took place at Krenowa, where they encountered heavy bombardment, forcing them to withdraw.
The soldiers had initially advanced to the Boko Haram enclave as part of their efforts to intensify the fight against the terrorists.
The soldiers reportedly faced intense resistance during the engagement, leading to the withdrawal from Krenowa. In the process, they left behind 12 out of 15 motorbikes deployed for the operation.
The soldiers, numbering over a hundred and equipped with multiple gun trucks, retreated to Marte town. An Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) tank was damaged in the ambush, and the driver escaped with a leg injury.
A soldier involved in the operation told Daily Trust, “We took the fight to the terrorists at their hideout when suddenly we came under fire that forced us to retreat. I believe they were hiding underground because there was no sign of them before the ambush. We took shelter at the headquarters of the 27 Task Force in Marte town.”
Contrary to claim by the federal government, the terrorists are said to be in full control of some parts of the state.
