No less than fifty soldiers have been reportedly killed after running into a Boko Haram ambush during one of their clearance operations.
Information gathered has it that those killed include a major and three officers.
“The Boko Haram insurgents attacked the rear convoy where the multi barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) and sinotruk (yellow bucket) loaded with soldiers were positioned,” a military source quoted by The Cable said.
“Boko Haram utilised their rocket propelled grenade ( RPG) fire and other support weapons on the vehicles and inflicted heavy casualties on the troops, wiping out the entire artillery troop.
“The full details of the casualties can’t be ascertained now. However, according to our contacts, it was confirmed that at least over 50 soldiers were killed and some of the KIA (killed in action), were burnt beyond recognition. Details of the names of the KIA is not known yet as it was difficult to identify the corpses.”
It was reported that the troops, on operation Ayiso Tamonuma, had first advanced to Alagarno area in Borno state on Saturday through Sunday, and though they ran into an ambush, no soldier was killed.
The troops however ran into a second ambush on Monday as they moved into Goniri area in Yobe and this time were overpowered by the insurgents.
Those wounded have since been evacuated to Damaturu and Maiduguri.
As at press time, Sagir Musa, army spokesperson, was not reachable to comment on the attack.
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