’48 insurgents’ killed as troops repel attack in Lake Chad region

Some members of Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been killed by troops of the multinational joint taskforce (MNJTF) stationed in the Lake Chad region.

Muhammad Dole, public information officer of MNJTF, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Dole said the insurgents, who attempted to attack the troops in their base were welcomed with heavy fire which led to the death of 48 of them while one of their leaders was captured alive.

He said the taskforce destroyed the insurgents’ ammunition and recovered their gun trucks.

He said seven soldiers were killed in the operation and that four soldiers who sustained injuries are being treated in a military hospital.

“The troops tactically canalised the criminals to their effective killing zone, brought heavy fire on them and neutralized scores of the terrorists, while others escaped with various degree of injuries,” he said.

“At the end of the encounter, a total of Forty-Three (43) dead bodies of BHT/ISWAP insurgents were scattered around the engagement areas.

“One terrorist suspected to be their leader was caught alive and a large cache of arms, ammunition were recovered and four enemy gun trucks were destroyed.

“Extremely regrettably however, seven gallant MNJTF soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, while four other soldiers sustained varying degrees of injuries and are being treated in a military hospital.”