Boko Haram kills five soldiers, four others in ambush

• 19 soldiers, civilian JTF member injured

Five soldiers, three vigilantes and a civilian joint task force (JTF) member were killed during a Boko Haram ambush in Talala and Ajigin axis of southern Borno State on Sunday, the Nigerian Army has said.

The ambush occurred at Ugundiri village in Damboa Council Area, while the troops were returning to their base.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman disclosed this yesterday in a statement issued to journalists in Maiduguri.

Usman said that the troops were, however, able to recover the terrorists’ gun truck and two anti-aircraft guns used in ambushing the soldiers.

The statement reads: “Unfortunately, five soldiers, three vigilantes and a civilian JTF (member) lost their lives during the ambush, while 19 soldiers and a civilian JTF sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The bodies of the late soldiers and civilians have been evacuated to Maiduguri while the injured are receiving commensurate medical care and are in stable conditions.”

He added that troops have been mobilised into blocking positions to further neutralise fleeing Boko Haram terrorists from the Sambisa Forest.

He said another set of troops had earlier cleared four villages of Zira, Abulam, Dusula and Buk, before returning to base at Bulabulin.

In a related development, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on patrol along Bama-Pulka road on Sunday in Borno State arrested Kadiri Umate, while the other terrorists crossed and fled into the Sambisa Forest.

Usman added: “The troops pursued them, but were only able to apprehend Umate, a 35-year old suspect, while others fled into the bush.

The patrol team recovered 35 packets of 500ml of Glucose intravenous infusion, assorted analgesics and pain killer drugs, clothes, bathroom sleepers, insecticides, salt, kola nuts and a bicycle.”