Security forces have foiled the latest attempts by terrorists to attack Ajiri and Mafa as well as other communities in the outskirt of Maiduguri and Dikwa in Borno State towards the Cameroon borders.
Eyewitness accounts report that Boko Haram members poured steadily into Mafa instead of retreating when they met with stiff resistance from the Nigerian army who slaughtered them as they trooped in.
A statement released by the Defence headquarters today, March 6, 2014 confirmed that twenty insurgents died in the encounter, while own troops sustained varying degree of injuries.
The ambush mounted by the terrorists to enable them unleash terror on the communities yesterday was also cleared by troops on reinforcement mission and the soldiers destroyed more camps in yesterday’s encounter at various forests and mountain locations around Adamawa and Borno States.
Arms captured from the terrorists include various brands of machine guns and improvised explosive devices.
In the statement, the Headquarters expressed grave concern over the activities and pronouncements of detractors, who persist in using false and misleading remarks to describe the disposition of troops in the ongoing operations. Such a campaign aimed at demoralizing the troops has been described as unfortunate.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, it is hereby restated that the Nigerian military cannot by any standard be overwhelmed by the insurgents neither will the devious antics of their sympathisers and sponsors demoralize the fighting spirit of troops. Nigerians and indeed all well-wishers are enjoined to discountenance the propaganda messages of the terrorists and their backers alleging the inability of Nigerians troops to handle the insurgency.”
