Chat212 Mail Summary....
- 38 members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect and a soldier were killed by troops of the 195 Battalion, Nigerian Army.
- Dole Stated that while the encounter lasted, 38 terrorists were killed and some fled with various degrees of injuries.
- The Senate President, David Mark, has called for global approach to tackle terrorism to end the menace threatening world peace.
Chat212 Mail News... Report
No fewer than 38 members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect and a soldier were yesterday killed by troops of the 195 Battalion, Nigerian Army, in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. Many of the terrorists and two soldiers were also critically injured in the attack.
Damboa town is located about 95 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital, and had witnessed attacks including bombings, killings and burning of schools and farms by suspected terrorists.
Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen, numbering over 80, had planned to turn Damboa to a ghost town but luck ran out on them as they were confronted by security agents. The spokesman of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Col. Mohammed Dole, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
Dole said: “During their regular robust patrols of their Area of Responsibility, AOR, the troops of 195 Battalion in Damboa successfully repelled planned Boko Haram terrorists’ attack on residents and military camps.
“In the early hours (0100 hours) of Thursday, January 9, 2014, the insurgents attempted to launch attacks on Damboa to cause havoc and mayhem. But due to timely information and gallantry displayed by the troops, the attack was repelled and inflicted heavy casualty on the terrorists.”
Dole added that while the encounter lasted, 38 terrorists were killed and some fled with various degrees of injuries.
“Three vehicles, one Sienna LE Borno (AE 844 DKW) laden with cylinders and Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, one 911 truck (SA 575 BBU) loaded with 200 bags of foodstuff and one Mitsubishi Canter truck (XD 441 GG) were recovered.
“Likewise a large cache of assorted arms of high caliber weapons and ammunition comprising of General Purpose Machine Guns, GPMG, Light Machine Guns, LMG and two AK 47 rifles were seized.
“However, one soldier was killed and two sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment. “Combined ground troops and Nigerian Air Force aircraft are tactically pursuing the fleeing terrorists in the ongoing operation in the general area of Damboa and surrounding villages of Sambisa Forest,” Dole said.
He, however, added that the General Officer Commanding, 7 Division had appealed to the public to avail the troops with information for successful tracking of the fleeing insurgents. Dole also appreciated public cooperation and understanding towards the fight against terrorism in the state.
In Abuja, the Nigerian Army Headquarters, AHQ, confirmed that troops killed 38 insurgents and lost a soldier during the Damboa attack.
The confirmation was contained in a statement from the AHQ signed by Col. Timothy Antigha, on behalf of the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, and made available to the media yesterday.
“The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, January 9, 2014, led to the killing of about 38 members of the terrorist group while three vehicles, assorted types of weapons and ammunition for Browning Machine Gun, Light Machine Gun, General Purpose Machine Gun and AK 47 were also captured.
“However, one soldier of the Battalion was killed in action. One of the captured vehicles; a Toyota Sienna vehicle was laden with Improvised Explosive Devices,” the statement said.
The Army assured the people of its readiness to fight the insurgents to a logical conclusion. The statement said: “In the light of this continuous threat to the security of lives and property, the Nigerian Army wishes to assure all Nigerians of its continued readiness to meet and defeat threats to the peace and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“To this effect, the general public is please enjoined to continue to provide useful information that would assist the Nigerian Army in discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
“You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public. Your usual cooperation is highly appreciated.”
Meanwhile, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has called for global approach to tackle terrorism to end the menace threatening world peace.
Mark said this in Abuja when he played host to the British Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Justice, Jeremy Wright.
Stressing that world leaders must come together to work out a blue print to fight terrorism, he expressed regret the growing trend and spread of terrorists across the globe and canvassed for a collaborative effort to end the menace.
