For Boko Haram terrorists, it was a misadventure yesterday as 38 of them lost their lives in a pre-emptive attack by troops of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Damboa town of Borno State, North-East Nigeria.

A statement issued in the state capital, Maiduguri, by the spokesman of the division, Col. Mohammed Dole, said that the troops struck after getting information on a planned onslaught by the terrorists. One soldier was killed during the encounter while two others sustained injuries, according to the statement.

Said Col. Dole: “During their regular robust patrols of their Area of Responsibility (AOR), the troops of 195 Battalion in Damboa successfully repelled planned Boko Haram Terrorists’ attack on residents and military camp. In the early hours (0100 hours) of Thursday, 9 January 2014, the insurgents attempted to launch an attack on Damboa to cause havoc and mayhem, but due to the timely information and gallantry displayed by the troops, the attack was repelled and inflicted heavy casualty on the terrorists.

“Some of the insurgents fled with various degrees of injuries.

“Three (3) vehicles, one Sienna LE, (AE 844 DKW) laden with cylinders and Improvised Explosive Devices, one 911 truck (SA 575 BBU) loaded with 200 bags of food stuff and one Mitsubishi canter truck (XD 441 GG) were recovered.

“Large cache of assorted arms of high caliber weapons and ammunition comprising of General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), Light Machine Guns (LMG) and two AK 47 rifles were seized.”

The statement disclosed that a combined ground troops and Nigerian Air Force aircraft are in hot pursuit of the fleeing terrorists in the general area of Damboa and surrounding villages. It appealed to the public to avail the troops with useful information for tracking the fleeing terrorists.

•Photo shows Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika.