- Airstrikes destroys 13 gun trucks
The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Sunday said it has “successfully” repelled “a Boko Haram/ Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ attack on Marte, on the fringes of Lake Chad Basin, Northeast Nigeria.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, said in a statement that the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and the ground operations destroyed seven gun trucks in addition to six gun trucks earlier “obliterated.”
General Enenche added that the combined air and land operations “eliminated scores of terrorists who were attempting to reinforce their colleagues in the attack.”
According to the statement, “this occurred on the night of 15 January through to the early hours of 16 January 2021 as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter gunships engaged the convoy of ISWAP gun trucks as they approached Marte axis for reinforcement.
“The helicopters delivered accurate hits in their multiple waves of attack, obliterating no fewer than 6 additional gun trucks, which were seen engulfed in flames across the battlespace.
“Several other terrorists were mopped-up in follow-on attacks as the helicopter gunships continued to strafe the fleeing ISWAP elements.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, operating in concert with other security agencies and stakeholders, will sustain the offensive against the enemies of our Great Nation. We shall not relent until normalcy is restored not only in the Northeast but also in every other troubled part of our beloved Country.”
On Friday night, several soldiers and few officers reportedly ‘went missing’ on after the terrorists overwhelmed 153 Infantry Battalion and the 22 Armoured Brigade, Marte, Borno State in a surprise attack.
Both Nigerian Army formations are based at the Super Camp and the terrorists launched an assault on them with the troops withdrawning from their positions when they were overpowered.
Following the invasion of the Army base and the ensuing battle with the terrorists, hundreds of civilians fled their homes as the attack was followed by razing down of public buildings.
Sources said that the terrorists, in their hundreds, stormed the recently resettled community, shooting from all angles and forcing returnees to flee into the bushes.
On 1st December, 2020 the State government resettled 500 households, comprising 2,870 returnees after six years in exile over the series of terrorists attacks.
The source, an official of the Borno State Government, added that hundreds of civilians slept in the bushes and trekked throughout the night but have started arriving Dikwa town, which is about 25 kilometers away.