Military kills 10 terror suspects, arrests 11 others in army chief ambush

TROOPS of 7 Division of Nigerian Army in Borno State yesterday said they have killed 10 terror suspects with the arrest of 11 others when the military convoy of Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, was ambushed by the Boko Haram insurgents at Faljari Village along Mafa-Dikwa Road on Saturday.

In a statement yesterday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman in Maiduguri, a copy of which was given to journalists, the military said after the ambushing of military convoy, 10 terrorists were killed by the advance troops in a fierce gun-battle that lasted for over half an hour.

The statement reads: “In a related development; the leading column was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Faljari Village between Mafa and Dikwa.

The terrorists encountered an overwhelming fire-power from the troops in which 10 of them were killed. The troops were able to capture five terrorists. “During the encounter, sadly, we however lost a soldier, while an officer and four soldiers sustained gunshot wounds.”

On the arrested suspects, Usman said: “The arrested terrorists have been sent for interrogation, while the remains of the gallant soldier and wounded soldiers were evacuated back to Maiduguri. “The wounded soldiers are stable and responding to treatment at the 7 Division hospital and medical services.”

Despite the ambushing, the statement however said: “At Dikwa, the COAS interacted with a mammoth crowd of Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) where he assured them of their safety.

Thereafter, he addressed some troops of 112 Battalion during which he told them that the Boko Haram terrorists should not have freedom of action or movement within their area of responsibility. “At Logomani Village where troops of 7 Division Strike Group were refitting, he informed them that Nigerians are proud of them.

It could be recalled that the unit recaptured Dikwa; and now heading to the next objective. He also said that he was adequately briefed by the GOC of 7 Division about their problems. He also delivered President Buhari’s goodwill message.”