Troops kill 6 Boko Haram fighters — but lose 3 officers

The Nigerian army on Wednesday said it had neutralised six insurgents, but lost three soldiers during an encounter with Boko Haram insurgents in Damboa local area of Borno state.

Sani Usman, director, army public relations, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

Usman said apart from the three soldiers who died, five others sustained injuries.

He said troops of 25 task force brigade, 7 division Nigerian army, encountered the “fleeing terrorists” at Dulsa and Bukin local government areas.

“At Dulsa this morning, the troops cleared the hideout of the terrorists during which they neutralised 6 Boko Haram terrorists, recovered one light machine gun, two rocket propelled grenade tubes and one extra Anti-Aircraft gun barrel,” he said.

“The troops also encountered Boko Haram terrorists’ camp at Buk where they were engaged by the terrorists.

“During the encounter, the troops neutralised large number of the Boko Haram terrorists and wounded several others. They also made an unprecedented recovery.

“The items recovered include: nine AK-47 rifles, three Fabrique Nationale rifles, two rocket propelled grenade bombs, one mortar tube, one shilka, one gun truck mounted with anti-aircraft gun and two Hilux vehicles.

“Similarly, one Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected – MRAP vehicle belonging to the Brigade was badly damaged.”