The convoy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Tukur Buratai, was ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Faljari village between Mafa and Dikwa, during the Army Chief’s visit to Borno State, THISDAY gathered.

The attack on Saturday, which left one soldier and 10 terrorists dead, occurred while Buratai was on a morale-boosting visit to the troops in the insurgent-threatened areas of  Mafa,  Dikwa and Logomani.

In a statement, the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Sani Usman, confirmed the failed terrorist ambush saying that the ‘leading column’ was ambushed.

“The terrorists encountered an overwhelming fire power from the troops in which 10 of them were killed, while five others were captured,” he said.

Usman also said Buratai commended the troops at 112 Task Force Battalion location in Mafa and enjoined them to continue to be hardworking and dedicated.

“During the encounter, sadly, we lost a soldier, while an officer and four soldiers sustained gunshot wounds”, he said.

He also disclosed that the arrested terrorists were being interrogated, while the remains of the ‘gallant soldier’ and the wounded soldiers were evacuated back to Maiduguri, also giving assurance that the wounded soldiers were stable and responding to treatment at 7 Division Hospital and Medical  Services.

“At Dikwa, Usman said the CoAS interacted with a mammoth crowd of internally displaced persons where he assured them of their safety.

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

Full statement from Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS ), Lieutenant General Tukur Y Buratai today visited troops at Mafa,  Dikwa and Logomani. At 112 Task Force Battalion location Mafa, he commended the troops and enjoined them to continue to be hardworking and dedicated.

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 captured five terrorists.

During the encounter, sadly, we lost a soldier, while  an officer and four soldiers sustained gun shot wounds.

The arrested terrorists have been sent for interrogation while the remains of the gallant soldier and the wounded soldiers were evacuated back to Maiduguri.

The wounded soldiers are stable and responding to treatment at 7 Division Hospital and Medical  Services.

At Dikwa, the COAS interacted with a mammoth crowd of internally displaced persons where he assured them of their safety. Thereafter, he addressed some elements of 112 Battalion in which he  told them that the Boko Haram terrorists should not have  any freedom  of action or movement within their area of responsibility.

At Logomani,  where troops of 7 Division Strike  Group where refitting, he informed them that Nigerians are very proud of them.  It should recalled that the unit recaptured Dikwa and now heading to the next objective. He also said that he was adequately  briefed by the GOC 7 Div about their problem. He also delivered President Buhari’s goodwill message.

One interesting aspect of the visit was that  Nigerian Air Force led by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal SB Abubakar gave air cover and conducted armed air reccoinaissance on the general area. While the IDPS were excited with presence of the COAS , troops at various locations were equally in high spirit and good to go. The troops indicated their readiness to carry out assigned tasks.

Janeth J