19 Soldiers injured; many missing in action

 *As scores of terrorists killed in gun battle in Borno

 

The Nigerian Army said last night that 19 of its soldiers and three members of the Civilian JTF who were returning from a clearance operation of Boko Haram terrorists camps in a village in Borno, suffered gunshot injuries after they ran into an ambush and engaged in a gunfight with the terrorists.
An unspecified number of the terrorists which military sources put at 30 and 40 were killed while several others ran into the bush with their blood stains littering the escape routes of the terrorists.
Many soldiers and some members of Civilian JTF are however said to be missing in action (MIA) following the bloody battle prompting the Army authorities to send re-enforcement to go for rescue operations of those that may still be alive.
A statement from Army headquarters confirming the development, signed by Col Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations said, “Today (Thursday)  morning, troops on clearance patrol at Guro Gongon village and environs to rout out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hibernating therein, destroyed the terrorists’ makeshift camps and recovered quite a number of weapons, equipment and foodstuff in the process.
“The recovered items include 1 Gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, a MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, 1 Light Machine Gun, 3 AK-47 rifles and motorcycles.”
“However, the gallant soldiers basking on the recorded success, returning to their defensive locations, ran into an ambush by a group of Boko Haram terrorists who came to reinforce their fleeing comrades.
“The troops fought back gallantly killing several of the insurgents. “Sadly however, 19 soldiers and 3 civilian JTF members were wounded in action while a few others were missing in action.

“The wounded have been evacuated and are responding to treatment, while a search and rescue party comprising of Special Forces personnel has since been dispatched to establish contact with the missing in action troops, some of whom, as at the time of filing this report, have started returning to their defensive location.
“It is pertinent to state that, no stone would be left unturned until every person involved in the operation has been accounted for.”