Nigerian troops on Wednesday foiled a Boko Haram terrorists’ attack on Askira Uba town in Borno State, killing 31 terrorists fighters.
The troops also destroyed nine of the 11 gun trucks the Boko Haram insurgents rode into Askira Uba.
A source said that while troops of 28 Task Force Brigade, headquartered in Chibok Local Government Area strafed the terrorists through searching and tracing their hideouts, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft provided air cover, shelling the Boko Haram gun trucks as they flee. The ground troops also pursued the fleeing terrorists for elimination.
According to the source, “aircraft were scrambled from Yola and Maiduguri within minutes after ground troops send the signal.
“For the first time in years, the speed of response between the Air Task Force (ATF) and ground troops is unprecedented,” the intelligence officer said.
He also said that the Mobile Task Teams have also been very active in eliminating combatant terrorists seen on sight and hidden in the vicinity.
Meanwhile, Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno State) and Chairman Senate Committee on Army, has commended the renewed vigour, and fighting spirit of troops, in recent weeks.
He said: “I commend the efforts of the men of the Armed Forces which has now given the people confidence that when they hear any information and contact the Army, they would come to their aid.
“The military operation in Askira Uba was professionally executed as there was no loss of lives or property of the indigenes except the killings of the insurgents that attacked the town.”
First published by PRNigeria