The Nigerian Army on Saturday confirmed the exchange of gunfire between troops of the Nigerian Army and Boko Haram terrorists in Geidam, Yobe State.
According to a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, the clash occurred on Friday, 23rd April, 2021.
Yerima explained that the terrorists attacked Geidam on Friday, destroying three communications masts and looting some shops in the process but were eventually repelled by troops and air components of Operation Lafiya Dole, resulting in the killing of 21 insurgents.
The Army statement confirms previous stories by Naija News on the encounter between the insurgents and troops in Geidam, Yobe State.
The Army spokesman narrated that the troops inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgents and recovered several sophisticated weapons from them including gun trucks, AK 47 rifles, grenade bombs, communication radios, and other ammunition.
Yerima added that three soldiers sustained injuries during the encounter and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
The full statement reads: “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) currently conducting Operation Tura Takaibango inflicted heavy casualty on Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Terrorists in Geidam the Headquarters of Geidam LGA of Yobe State.
The terrorist attacked the strategic border town 23 April 2021 destroying three communications masts and looting some shops in the process.
However, troops stationed at the town supported by the Air Component of OPLD mounted a hot pursuit and closed up with the terrorists killing 21 of them in the process.
The gallant troops successfully recovered a gun truck with an anti aircraft gun mounted on it, eight AK 47 rifles with ten magazines as well as two Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs and five chargers. Other items recovered are; over a thousand rounds of different calibres of ammunition, one Commando Mortar Tube, 3 IED blasting devices, tool boxes, communication radios and cell phones among several other items of value. The troops are still combing the area for possible discoveries as most of the terrorists escaped with various degrees of injuries from the resultant encounter.
The only setbacks on the side of the troops were the injuries sustained by 3 soldiers who were in stable conditions and receiving medical attention in a military facility.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru congratulated the Theatre Commander and troops of OPLD including the Air Component for this great achievement. The COAS restated the commitment of the Nigerian Army under his leadership to ending terrorism and all violent crimes in the North East and other parts of the country.
He further enjoined the troops to sustain the ongoing offensive under Operation Tura Takaibango until this noble goal is attained.”
Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has once again called on President Muhammadu Buhari to wake up from the slumber and realize all is not well with Nigeria.
Soyinka in a statement on Saturday titled “The endless Martyrdom of youth,” called on the Buhari-led administration to seek help in curbing the many challenges facing Nigeria as a country.
He noted that the heart of many Nigerians are already broken and the people live in despair, unsure of what lies in stock for them in the future as everything looks bleak.