Army ‘kills 22 insurgents but loses five’ soldiers

Twenty-two members of the Boko Haram sect and five soldiers have been killed in a gun battle in Borno state, according to military sources.  

One of the sources said the insurgents, who came in gun trucks, had attacked the army’s 25 task force brigade in Damboa on Monday.

The soldiers were said to have engaged them in a duel that lasted for five hours.  

“Five soldiers were killed in action, while two were wounded,” a source said. 

The insurgents also stole an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the troops. 

“Well the successful operation was conducted in collaboration with the air task force of operation Lafiya Dole, who quickly responded and bombarded the insurgents forcing them to fled in disarray,” another source said. 

The source added that “the morale and efficiency of the troops remain high as they continue to engage the insurgents.” 

Sagir Musa, army’s spokesperson, was not immediately available to comment on the attack. 

On Thursday, about seven soldiers were killed by the insurgents in Doska, Brono state. 

The troops were said to be on a patrol to the area when they got tricked by the insurgents who appeared in military uniforms and gun trucks.