Nigerian troops yesterday killed numerous insurgents belonging to Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram, but failed in a daring operation to recover the strategic town of Bama in Borno State seized a day before by militant fighters.
In what a military source described as "a heavy gun battle," Nigerian troops inflicted a significant death toll on Boko Haram fighters. But the source added that the Islamist group also mounted a dogged resistance to the military operation, ultimately forcing Nigerian troops to retreat.In a report by sahara reporters in Nigeria, the Military is finding it top with the Insurgents:
Nigerian troops yesterday killed numerous
insurgents belonging to Islamist terrorist group,
Boko Haram, but failed in a daring operation to
recover the strategic town of Bama in Borno
State seized a day before by militant fighters.
Nigerian troops advancing to retake
Damboa last year
In what a military source described as “a heavy
gun battle,” Nigerian troops inflicted a significant
death toll on Boko Haram fighters. But the
source added that the Islamist group also
mounted a dogged resistance to the military
operation, ultimately forcing Nigerian troops to
retreat.
A combined team of military troops and
members of the civilian Joint Task Force
gathered in nearby Kawuri village in the early
hours of yesterday and launch a fight to recover
Bama from the militants. However, the well-
armed Islamist fighters mounted a stiff
resistance that also killed an unspecified number
of troops and civilians, compelling Nigerian
troops and members of the civilian JTF to retreat
to Konduga.
A member of the local vigilante that participated
in the attempted capture of Bama said Nigerian
troops were unable to enter Bama town.
“Yesterday they [militants] were many at Kawuri
village. So many of them were killed after hours
of gun battles, but we were advised to withdraw.
Nigerian troops left to go to Konduga and our
boys are back to Maiduguri,” he said.
A military source at the 7th Division of the
Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, confirmed the
withdrawal of soldiers. He added that officers
would re-strategize before launching another
attack to recapture Bama. “Yes, we made an
attempt to reclaim the town but the operation
was not successful. We dealt with them [Boko
Haram fighters]. Many of them were killed and
wounded. We are still working hard and will take
back Bama from the militants,” the officer said.
Two days ago, the Islamist group seized Bama
after killing scores of civilians and overwhelming
a Nigerian Army barracks based in the town. The
seizure marked the first major town in Nigeria’s
violence-plagued northeast captured by the
insurgents in 2015.
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