Troops of the Special Forces Brigade have reportedly killed 10 suspected Boko Haram members after a gun battle at Sassaawa village, a community in the Marte Local Government Area, Borno State.
A military source revealed that troops recovered weapons, including AK-47 rifles, mortar tubes, and a machine gun after the clash which was part of the ongoing second phase of operation Tura Takaibango.
“The clearance onslaught was based on the directives given by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Ibrahim Attahiru when he visited the Theatre of Operation LAFIYA DOLE. During his operational visit recently to Dikwa, the COAS issued directives to troops to advance and recapture Marte and thereafter project further to clear other adjoining villages which include Sassawa, Chikun Gudu, Kerenoa, and environs.
“Following the directive, the gallant troops moved in, achieved the objective, and projected ahead. In the course of the clearance operation, troops encountered heavy fleets of the terrorists, engaged and ultimately obliterated them. In the encounter, 10 members of the sect were killed,” the source told SaharaReporters.
The incident comes barely two days after the troops killed about 25 insurgents in Chikun Gudu and Kerenoa areas of the state.
Two soldiers however lost their lives while seven others sustained injuries during the attack.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reiterated its earlier decision not to negotiate with bandits and Boko Haram insurgents terrorizing the country.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), made this known on Thursday during the weekly ministerial briefing at the State House in Abuja.
Monguno said government would rather use different kinectic forces to flush out the criminals out of their hideouts rather than engage in dialogue wth the criminals.
“While the government is not averse to talking, it must apply the necessary force because you can’t trust these people.
“Government wants to use military assets to eliminate them but if along the line, the come out, good. It paints the picture of weakness, incapacity,” Monguno said.