Nigerian troops of Sector 1 Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai continue to lose combatants as Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists killed 7 more in the battle of Kala Balge on Friday December 3, 2021.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, to announce that troops neutralized of some of the terrorists, without putting a figure to it, they infiltrated Kala Balge town mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles.
He said the violent religious extremists “attacked troops deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) Rann, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.
“Troops gallantly engaged the maurading terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and withdrew in disarray.
“In the fierce battle for Kala Balge, troops defended the town and neutralized 26 BH/ISWAP terrorists.
“The gallant troops also captured terrorists’ combat vehicles, 18 AK 47 rifles and one M-21 rifle with large quantity of ammunition. Several other equipment were also destroyed by troops.
“Regrettably, two officers and five soldiers paid the supreme price, while three personnel who sustained gun shot wounds are currently receiving medical attention.”
Brig. Gen. Nwachukwu also stated that the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has paid tribute to the departed combatants, whom he he described as heroes who paid the supreme price in defending Nigeria, their fatherland.
“He has also commended troops for their gallantry in the North East, especially with the recent successes recorded in Gajiram and the Tumbus,” Gen. Nwachukwu added.