Special Forces of the Nigeria Army on Thursday killed hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists in massive clearance operations in Borno State.
The troops made up of Nigerian Army Special Forces, the Nigerian Navy Special Forces as well as the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces however lost an officer and a soldier during the clearance operations.
According to the Nigerian Army Spokesman, Brig. Gen Sani Usman, the operations which commenced on December 28, cleared several towns and villages of Boko Haram remnants.
Usman, in a statement, listed towns cleared as Zare, Gudumbali, Kukawa, and Cross Kauwa while troops have also taken control of Baga and are clearing the fringes of Lake Chad.
He lauded the troops for their gallantry in giving the terrorists a bloody nose, saying the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole also gave maximum air support in dealing a devastating blow on the terrorists.
Brig Gen. Usman said: “In the determined efforts to wipe out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists that now goes by the appellation of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), the gallant troops of the newly formed Nigerian Army Special Forces Command (NASFC), Operation LAFIYA DOLE, have given the terrorists that attacked troops location in Baga a bloody nose.
“The triumphant troops, particularly the highly revered 707 Special Forces Brigade which is the vanguard of the great exploit, dealt the decisive blow that neutralised several terrorists along that axis despite prior warning to them by some unpatriotic elements.
“The Special Forces commenced clearance operations on 28th December 2018, where they cleared Zare, Gudumbali, Kukawa and Cross Kauwa without any resistance from suspected terrorists. However, at Cross Kauwa, the unfortunate ISWAP terrorists made a costly mistake of raising their ugly heads.
“In professional fashion the troops exploited the situation to instantly and decisively neutralise the insurgents and captured some equipment.
“Though some of the terrorists attempted to infiltrate troops camp at Monguno, the gallant troops lured them and neutralised many of them and recovered some arms and ammunition.
“The troops who are in high spirit had since linked up with other forces in Baga where they cleared the Naval Base and the surrounding areas.
“Unfortunately, in the process, the Special Forces lost one officer and a soldier, while five other soldiers sustained injuries.
“The remains of the two fallen heroes and the wounded have since been evacuated. The injured soldiers are in stable condition and receiving medical attention.
“The troops are busy consolidating and clearing vestiges of the terrorists within the northern Borno State axis with special emphasis on the Lake Chad region.”
