Boko Haram insurgents have attacked Dikwa Local Government Area, LGA, of Borno State and abducted no fewer than seven aid workers.
The insurgents during the attack also burnt the offices of the aid workers, destroyed government facilities, and hospitals belonging to Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs.
This came as reports said troops of Operation Lafiya Dole had routed elements of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, who attempted to attack Dikwa Town in Borno.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier.-General, Mohammed Yerima, in a statement in Abuja, said the terrorists had on Monday stormed the town in an unconfirmed number of gun trucks and motorcycles.
He said that the terrorists were visited with heavy bombardment and overwhelming firepower by troops of 81 Task Force Battalion and complemented by the Air Task Force.
He said that the terrorists attempted to invade the town to loot food items and other logistics, having got wind of the recent food distribution to residents of the town by Governor Babagana Zulum.
According to the statement, “They came in droves through the Marte axis but could not gain access to the town due to the combat readiness of troops positioned there. The terrorists subsequently lost initiative as they were cut off completely, following the recent successful recapture of Marte town by the gallant troops. In desperation and to scare off residents from returning to their homes, they planted series of landmines on the roads which were also detected and successfully detonated by troops.”
Yerima, however, debunked the reports by some social media suggesting that the terrorists attacked UN Base, trapping 25 aid workers, as published by some outlets.
He described the reports as false and sensational, saying they were clearly aimed at stirring tension in the region and diminishing the glaring efforts and sacrifices of the military in the fight against insurgency.
According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, had commended the efforts of the gallant troops and the prompt response of the Air Task Force in providing air interdictions throughout the operation.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness said the insurgents stormed the town at 5:30 pm on Monday evening, and had since been in control of the town.
