THE Nigerian Military, yesterday, put up a brave fight against hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists who attacked the dynamite-manufacturing town of Ashaka in Gombe State.
Their plan was to overrun the town. After several hours of fighting, the Nigerian Army lost 10 soldiers while over 70 Boko Haram terrorists were killed with scores of them sustaining serious gunshot injuries – most of the terrorists fled the town. While running away from the town, the terrorists carried most of their dead members in three trucks.
Confirming the development in the Defence Headquarters twitter handle, Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, noted that the terrorists invaded the town in a convoy of 30 vehicles and many motorcycles.
His words: “Terrorists fleeing Ashaka on Thursday managed to retrieve three truckloads full of their dead members following the defeat and heavy casualty they suffered after a fierce battle with troops in the area.
“The terrorists, who had come in large number with heavy equipment and convoy of over 30 vehicles and a number of motor cycles, were on a mission to take control of Ashaka town, after they had operated in Bajoga and environs in Gombe State.
“Troops who got wind of their intention to overrun other towns and pursued the terrorists while some also laid ambush for them. The terrorists were forced to abandon the mission when the troops proved unyielding. Most of the vehicles and equipment used by the terrorists for their mission were destroyed before they chose to flee the location.
“Over 10 soldiers however died in the battle while those who were wounded are being treated in military hospitals.
About a month ago, suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked the Ashaka Cement Company where they made away with a truck load of dynamites used for manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS) and since then, several bomb attacks in Kano, Maduguri, Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi, etc have been carried out with female suicide bombers. The military succeeded in thwarting some of the suicide bombing plots.
Military’s discipline reason Nigeria hasn’t exploded -Fashola
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has commended the military for its discipline and dedication to duty, which he said have kept Nigeria from imploding. Speaking at the formal decoration of two officers of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corp, NAOC, recently promoted by the Army High Command from the rank of colonel to brigadier-general, Fashola said the resilience and continuous loyalty of the Army to the democratic principle were reasons the country has not exploded. Represented by Dr. Adeyemi Idowu, the governor said Nigerian Army had moved beyond what it was in the colonial era and that they were now a more formidable institution. The two Nigerian Army Ordnance Corp officers were Brigadier-General Martin Obiora Enendu, who is Director of Equipment, HQ, NAOC, and Brigadier-General Adamu Mama Dauda. Decorating the officers, Commandant, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corp, HQ, Major-General Adekunle Abdullahi Martins described them as fine officers.
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