Troops Repel Fresh Boko Haram Attack in Borno State, Kill 16 Insurgents

• Suicide bomber kills self, 2 personnel

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Nigerian troops at the weekend repelled remnants of Boko Haram terrorists who in their numbers attacked their (troops’) location at Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday, said the terrorists came with Motorcycles Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (MCBIED), anti-aircraft guns, and other weapons.
Usman disclosed that the terrorists attacked at about 5.00pm on Friday and the exchange of fire lasted for some hours before they were overwhelmed by the troops’ firepower.

He said one of the terrorists’ suicide bombers detonated the explosives strapped on him at a gun truck, killing the driver and the gunner. He said the truck and the mounted weapon were also damaged beyond repairs.
In addition, he said two soldiers were wounded in action while three others sustained minor injuries.

Usman further stated: “The troops killed seven of the attackers instantly while quite a number escaped with gunshot wounds. During clearance operations this morning (yesterday), the troops discovered 9 more Boko Haram terrorists dead bodies in the surrounding areas. Therefore the total number of terrorists killed was 16.”
He said the troops also recovered a General Purpose Machine-gun, Rocket Propelled Grenade, ammunitions, and captured two of the terrorists alive.

The Army Spokesman noted that the “bodies of the two fallen heroes and the wounded in action soldiers have been evacuated to Maiduguri, while reinforcement was sent from Gomboru Ngala.”
In a related development, he said the troops have also discovered and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along Gomboru-Rann road. The DAPR stressed that the IEDs might have been planted on Friday to prevent troops’ reinforcement to Rann while the attack lasted.

Usman said the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion has visited the troops and held durbar with them. “He commended them for their doggedness during attack and also urged them not to lower their guards,” he stated.
Despite the incident, he assured that the troops’ morale remains high and they have continued with their clearance operations.