Nigerian Army troops have killed eight Boko Haram terrorists in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The encounter took place in the early hours of Wednesday, according to a statement by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, the acting Public Relations Officer of Operation Hadin Kai.
The soldiers, under the 26 Task Force Brigade deployed to Izge, successfully repelled an attempted attack by the insurgents. Captain Kovangiya said the gun battle lasted several hours before the terrorists were overpowered. Many of the fighters fled with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the scene include motorcycles, ten bicycles, and a PKT automatic machine gun with attached ammunition belts.
The Army also reported another attempted attack on troops stationed at Malamfatori, a border town between Nigeria and Niger Republic. That assault was also foiled, with the terrorists suffering heavy casualties before retreating across the border.
However, the Army also suffered losses. During a midnight Boko Haram attack on Izge community in Gwoza, an army captain and a soldier were killed. The Emir of Gwoza, Mohammed Shehu Timta, confirmed the tragic incident, which occurred around 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
The Emir said the terrorists stormed the farming community shooting sporadically. Troops, along with local hunters, vigilantes, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), quickly mobilized to defend the area. They succeeded in repelling the attackers, killing three more terrorists in the process.
Recovered from the fleeing attackers were several motorcycles, bicycles, an operational vehicle, and a sophisticated rifle.
The Emir praised the efforts of the Nigerian military, CJTF, and the local security teams for their bravery and unity in defending the community. He also prayed for the souls of the fallen soldiers and extended his condolences to their families.
Borno State has long been the center of Boko Haram’s violent insurgency, which began in 2009. Though the Nigerian military has made significant progress in reclaiming territory from the group, attacks still occur, especially in remote parts of the state.
Wednesday’s incident highlights both the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram and the continued efforts of security forces and local communities to defend their land from terrorist violence.
