Three armed Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in Buratai, Borno State, the hometown of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, during a fierce battle with troops from the Nigerian Army stationed in the area, some residents that spoke to Daily Trust on phone said.

Buratai came under attack on Wednesday evening around 6pm when suspected Boko Haram insurgents in six vehicles armed with sophisticated weapons attacked the town and engaged the soldiers in exchange of fire that lasted two hours. A source close to the troops said: “When the insurgents approached the military base in Buratai, they opened fire on the unsuspecting troops who immediately returned fire. Many insurgents were killed. I personally saw the insurgents carrying the corpses of their killed colleagues and the injured ones putting them in vehicles. But they still left three corpses behind.

“One of the vehicles they used for the attack was destroyed and burnt during the gun battle by the military. I am not aware of any casualty on the side of the soldiers or the civilian population. The attackers were forced to return without gaining entry into Buratai.”

Malam Isa Buratai, who commended the efforts of the soldiers, said insurgents are making frantic efforts over time to enter and destroy Buratai but God has been protecting the town through the efforts of the soldiers, adding: “Two days ago, the insurgents planted mines on Buratai to Damboa road that a military vehicle stepped on and it exploded killing some soldiers and yet the soldiers are not deterred.”

A student from the area, Rebecca Sunday, who left Buratai yesterday to resume school in Yola, the capital of Adamawa state said normalcy has since resumed to the area as people are going about their normal business. (Daily Trust)

•Photo shows Nigerian troops engaged in the war against Boko Haram.

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