Army: How we lost an officer, six soldiers in Mainok attack

The Nigerian army says it lost an officer and six soldiers when Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mainok, Borno state, on Sunday.

TheCable had reported how a commander of one of the battalions and other soldiers were killed in the attack.

Mohammed Yerima, army’s spokesperson, in a statement on Monday, said troops engaged the insurgents in a fight that lasted hours, and with the support from the Nigerian Air Force many of the insurgents were killed.

“On Sunday 25 April 2021, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Mainok, Borno State, came under multi-directional attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists mounted on unconfirmed number of Gun Trucks as well as foot soldiers with possible intent of establishing a phantom caliphate in the town,” the statement reads.

“The terrorists were held by the gallant troops of 156 Task Force Battalion until the arrival of reinforcement teams from 7 Division, Special Army Super Camp Ngamdu and Army Super Camp 4, Benesheik.

“During the fire fight which lasted several hours, the gallant troops tactically lured a number of the terrorists into a killing zone within their camp where the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole scrambled Alpha jets and helicopter gunship which took turns in decimating the already trapped terrorists.

“In the aftermath of the encounter, scores of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised with their body parts littering the area and a number of their gun trucks destroyed.

“Regrettably, one gallant Officer and six soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while 5 other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries.”

He said the wounded soldiers have already been evacuated to the military medical facility for treatment.

He added that troops are now in full control of Mainok and surrounding areas, while a search for fleeing insurgents is ongoing.