Nigerian Army troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have killed scores of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters on
Sunday, 25 April, 2021 at Mainok in Borno State.
The terrorists were said to have launched a multi-directional attacks on the troops on Sunday by mounting on unconfirmed number of gun trucks and foot soldiers with the possible intent of establishing a phantom caliphate in Mainok.
According to a press release made available by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima on Monday, April 26, 2021; the terrorists were held by the gallant troops of 156 Task Force Battalion until reinforcement teams came from
7 Division, Special Army Super Camp Ngamdu and Army Super Camp 4 in Benesheik.
General Mohammed Yerima added that the fire fight lasted for several hours during which the gallant troops tactically lured a number of the terrorists into a killing zone within the troop’s camp. He added that the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole scrambled Alpha jets and helicopter gunship which took turns to decimate the already trapped terrorists. The statement further stated that body parts of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists killed in the air offensive littered the battle area while a number of the terrorists gun trucks were also destroyed.
However, one gallant officer and six soldiers lost their lives in the battle. Also, five other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries during the intense fire fight. Although the wounded soldiers have been evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment while troops are currently in total control of Mainok and its environ. Moreso, exploitation for fleeing terrorists was ongoing at the time of filling this report.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru has applauded the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for their resilience, commitment and doggedness in the Mainok operation. He has also reassured Nigerians of unalloyed commitment of the Army to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. The Army Chief also urged Nigerian citizens to always avail troops with accurate and timely information for immediate action.