Army confirms Boko Haram ambush on ‘Operation LAFIA DOLE’ commander’s convoy

…2 soldiers wounded, several insurgents killed

The Nigerian Army Tuesday confirmed that Boko Haram insurgents on Monday attacked the convoy of the Theatre Commander, ‘Operation LAFIYA DOLE’, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi in an ambush.

The terrorists however, suffered a devastating blow resulting in the killing of several of the insurgents and recovery of weapons including 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, one camouflage trouser, one police fragmental jacket, two AK 47 rifles and three AK 47 rifle magazines.

A statement by the Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu on Tuesday said that the insurgents staged the ambush “in a clear display of misguided desperation to stage a reprisal following the recent neutralisation of several of their top commanders.”

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It said that on January 6, some marauding elements of the criminal Boko Haram insurgents laid and eventually, sprung an ambush against the convoy of the Theatre Commander, ‘Operation LAFIYA DOLE’, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi.

It explained that the theatre commander’s convoy came under fire from anti-aircraft guns, machines guns and rocket propelled grenades about two kilometers to Auno in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno state while he was returning from Jakana where he visited troops’ location following his earlier meeting with Governor Babagana Zulum at Auno.

The statement said that in demonstration of bold action in battle, the theatre commander led the gallant troops of his convoy to engage the Boko Haram insurgents with superior fire power, subduing them and thereafter, assaulting the ambush site with his men thereby causing the criminal insurgents to flee the location in disarray.

“Other senior military officers in the theatre commanders’ convoy at the time of the ambush include the Deputy Theatre Commander, Maj. Gen. M.G. Ali, Brig. Gen. E.I. Eze, Brig. Gen. S.I. Igbinomwanya and Lt. A.A. Tejuoso.

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“In the aftermath of the encounter, several Boko Haram criminal insurgents were decimated. Additionally, 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one camouflage trouser, one Nigeria Police Force fragmental jacket, two AK 47 rifles and three AK 47 rifle magazines were captured from the fleeing insurgents.

“Thereafter, the Theatre Commander, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi and his convoy continued their trip and have since returned safely to the headquarters, theatre command, ‘Operation LAFIYA DOLE’ in Maiduguri.

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“Regrettably, two soldiers were wounded in action during the encounter. The wounded soldiers are currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility and are responding positively to treatment.

“The theater commander on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Turkur Buratai congratulates the troops for their resilience and courage and urges them not to relent in their efforts until all the remnants of the Boko Haram and ISWAP criminal insurgents are completely annihilated and defeated,” the statement added.