DAILY TRUST
Many soldiers and members of the civilian JTF have been killed in an encounter with suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the border of Yobe and Borno states.
Security and local sources revealed that the attack occurred on Saturday after the troops reclaimed a major camp of the insurgents at Mai-Saleh area, bordering the two states.
While the outgoing Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, disclosed that the military lost 22 troops, some sources put the figure at 27 and others gave a higher number.
In a statement on Sunday, Buba, a major general, revealed that the terrorists’ ‘special forces’ commander known as Talha and over 70 foot-soldiers were neutralised by the Nigerian troops.
He added that the terrorists’ operations commander, identified as Malam Umar and their brigade commander, known as Abu Yazeed, were also killed by the troops.
He added that the terrorists deployed person-borne improvised explosive devices (suicide bombers) as well as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (suicide bombers in explosive vehicles) in their revenge mission.
“The three-prong operation aimed at dismantling the terrorists’ presence within the triangle commenced on 16 January 25 till date.”
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