The Nigerian Army says troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole had foiled what could have been a deadly attack by ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists, targeted at the troops’ location and the IDP resettlement in Kukawa town of Borno State.
The Defence Media Operations said this was a deliberate attack by the criminal elements aimed at infiltrating the town and thwarting the rebuilding and resettlement by the government for the displaced people caused by the ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists activities in the Northeast.
A statement by the Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, noted that eight Boko Haram terrorists were killed during the incident, while unconfirmed numbers escaped with gunshots wounds.
He, however, regretted that about five soldiers were fatally wounded and three of them later died at the Kukawa military medical station.
Two other soldiers are currently receiving treatment at the medical station.
It would be recalled that the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, flagged off the re-opening of Munguno-Cross Kauwa-Kukawa Road on July 29, followed immediately with the resettlement of the displaced people from Kukawa.
The Army says, “The attack by the terrorists was, therefore, a deliberate attempt, to reverse the milestone achievements recorded regarding peace, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement.
Also Read: Troops arrest 3 Nigerien gun runners in Sokoto State
With the calm situation in the town, “the Nigerian Armed Forces wish to assure the general public that there was no going back in its efforts at rebuilding and resettlement of the displaced people and advised the IDP’S to go about their lawful businesses without any hindrance.
“They are also enjoined to always avail the troops and other security agencies, with credible information about the terrorists and other suspicious movements of persons.”
Editor: Tunde Orebiyi
