17th March, 2014
Nigerian troops operating in the North-East have ambushed a group of terrorists on a mission to attack Goniri Community in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state.
Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information and Coordinator, Joint Information Centre Counter Terrorism Campaign in an update said that the mission failed as the terrorists were ambushed by troops on patrol who were already alerted on the their intention.
“Troops are still in pursuit of the fleeing terrorist elements after the encounter which resulted in some casualties on both parties.
“Rockets and machine guns were freely used by the terrorists who eventually lost over eight of their fighters with several others wounded.
“ Arms were also captured from the terrorists while others fled.
“ The troops, however, lost a soldier while an officer was seriously wounded in the encounter, ‘’ he said.
Goniri is not far from Buni-Yadi where the terrorists killed school children recently.
The director also said that the troops, operating around Gamboru Ngala and Dikwa Local Government Area towards the borders of Chad and Cameroun, were busy throughout the weekend.
He said that the troops were recovering weapons hidden by terrorists who were dislodged from the area.
“Assisted by captured terrorists, the troops were led to the sites where arms have been hidden in farms and cemeteries. The cordon and search of the entire area is still in progress,” he said.