There was fierce fighting yesterday when the leading column of visiting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General TY Buratai, was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Faljari village between Mafa and Dikwa in Borno State, North-East Nigeria.

“The terrorists encountered an overwhelming fire power from the troops in which 10 of them were killed,” Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said late last night. He disclosed that “the troops were able to capture 5 terrorists. During the encounter, sadly, we lost a soldier, while an officer and 4 soldiers sustained gun shot wounds. The arrested terrorists have been sent for interrogation while the remains of the gallant soldier and the wounded soldiers were evacuated back to Maiduguri. The wounded soldiers are stable and responding to treatment at 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services.”

Col. Usman stressed that the incident did not, however, disrupt the Chief of Army Staff’s visit to troops at Mafa, Dikwa and Logomani.

He said in a statement: “At 112 Task Force Battalion location Mafa, he commended the troops and enjoined them to continue to be hardworking and dedicated.

“At Dikwa, the COAS interacted with a mammoth crowd of internally displaced persons where he assured them of their safety. Thereafter, he addressed some elements of 112 Battalion in which he told them that the Boko Haram terrorists should not have any freedom of action or movement within their area of responsibility. At Logomani, where troops of 7 Division Strike Group where refitting, he informed them that Nigerians are very proud of them. It should recalled that the unit recaptured Dikwa and now heading to the next objective. He also said that he was adequately briefed by the GOC 7 Div about their problem. He also delivered President Buhari’s goodwill message. One interesting aspect of the visit was that Nigerian Air Force led by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal SB Abubakar, gave air cover and conducted armed air reconnaissance on the general area. While the IDPS were excited with presence of the COA, troops at various locations were equally in high spirit and good to go. The troops indicated their readiness to carry out assigned tasks.”

•Photo by Col. SK Usman shows troops listening with rapt attention to the visiting Chief of Army Staff’s address . . . yesterday.

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