Unknown number of Nigerian soldiers are missing and 19 other with 3 members civilian JTF were wounded after they were ambush by a group of Boko Haram terrorists at Guro Gongon village in Borno State.
Confirming the report, Acting Director Army Public Relations Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman said the soldiers were ambush Boko Haram terrorists on their way to defensive locations after destroying terrorists’ makeshift camps.
The Army spokesman said the troops recovered items include 1 Gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, a MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, 1 Light Machine Gun, 3 AK-47 rifles and motorcycles.
“Troops on clearance patrol at Guro Gongon village and environs to rout out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hibernating therein destroyed the terrorists’ makeshift camps and recovered quite a number of weapons, equipment and foodstuff in the process.
“The recovered items include 1 Gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, a MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, 1 Light Machine Gun, 3 AK-47 rifles and motorcycles.
“However, the gallant soldiers basking on the recorded success, returning to their defensive locations, ran into an ambush by a group of Boko Haram terrorists who came to reinforce their fleeing comrades.
“The troops fought back gallantly killing several of the insurgents. Sadly however, 19 soldiers and 3 civilian JTF members were wounded in action while a few others were missing in action” Usman said.
He added that the wounded have been evacuated and are responding to treatment, while a search and rescue party comprising of Special Forces personnel has since been dispatched to establish contact with the missing in action troops, some of whom, as at the time of filing this report, have started returning to their defensive location.
Usman further stated that no stone would be left unturned until every person involved in the operation has been accounted for.
