By Ahmad Umar
Nigerian Troops in a coordinated ground and aerial military operations say they killed 80 terrorists to reclaim Baga and other communities in Borno State , north east of the country.
The Naval Base on shores of Lake Chad; was also re-captured from Boko Haram insurgents that attacked Baga on December 26, 2018.
Spokesman for Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Sani Usman in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri said: “The gallant troops of newly formed Nigerian Army Special Forces Command and Operation Lafiya Dole, have given the terrorists that attacked troops’ location in Baga a bloody noses.”
According to him, the troops dealt the decisive blow that neutralised several terrorists; despite warnings from unpatriotic elements in the axis.
He said the Special Forces commenced clearance operations on December 28, 2018, where they Zare, Gudumbali, Kukawa and Cross Kauwa communities were cleared without any resistance.
On neutralised terrorists, Usman said, “At Cross Kauwa, the/unfortunate ISWAP terrorists made a costly mistake by raising their ugly heads.
“In professional fashion; the troops exploited the situation to instantly and decisively neutralized the insurgents and captured some equipment.
“Though some of the terrorists attempted to infiltrate troops’ camp at
Monguno, the gallant troops lured them and neutralised many of them and recovered some arms and ammunition.
He said troops are in high spirit; along with other forces in Baga; where they cleared the Naval Base and other communities.
According to him, the Special Forces however lost an officer and a soldier, while five other soldiers sustained injuries
He said the remains of the two fallen heroes and the wounded have since been evacuated for deposition and treatment.
He further disclosed that the troops are clearing remnants of fleeing terrorists in northern Borno with special emphasis on the Lake Chad region clearance operations.
He said the reclaim of Baga and other communities; were achieved through close operational synergy with fighter jets of Air Task Force (ATF).
He said the Nigerian Air Force gave Intelligence and close air support to
bomb the ISWAP terrorists adding that outstanding dare devil exploits of jets’ pilots gave courage and fire power to ground troops to reclaim half a dozen communities.
