’10 killed’ as troops repel Boko Haram attack in Borno

Troops of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday repelled a violent attack by the Boko Haram insurgents at Mainok community in Kaga local government area of Borno.

According to NAN, the troops engaged the insurgents in a gun battle at Mainok, about 73 kilometres drive from Maiduguri.

Mainok is one of the liberated communities rehabilitated by the government. The town recorded a high number of returnees due to the relative peace in the area.

The troops, according to witnesses, killed about 10 insurgents and wounded others when they tried to infiltrate a military unit in the town.

Lawal Wasaram, a former chairman of the council, confirmed the incident to NAN.

Wasaram said the incident occurred at about 6pm when a group of insurgents, moving on two trucks and motorcycles, tried to infiltrate the town from a nearby bush.

He said troops deployed to the area intercepted and killed about 10 of them while many were wounded in the gun duel.

Wasaram added that the troops also destroyed the insurgents’ vehicles, a situation which prevented them from attacking the town.

“The gallant troops successfully repelled the insurgent and protected the town from attack.

“It is difficult to ascertain the causalities; about 10 insurgents were killed and several others wounded in the failed attempt to attack Mainok,” he said.

Ha added that the locals and soldiers were currently celebrating victory in the town.

The military authorities are yet to comment on the incident.