BOKO HARAM SUFFERS HIGH CASUALTY IN A FAILED ATTEMPT TO TAKE DIKWA -ARMY

The Nigerian Army, on Monday, confirmed that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, currently carrying out Operation Tura Takaibango stationed at Dikwa and Gulumba Gana, as supported by the Air Component, has inflicted heavy casualty on Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to take control of the strategic town of Dikwa. Dikwa is the headquarters of Dikwa LGA of Borno State.

According to a press release signed by the Director of Army Relations, Brigadier Mohammed Yerima, the terrorists in their numbers mounted on 12 gun trucks, attacked the town on the eve of Sunday 18 April 2021, just as the locals prepared to break their Ramadan fast for the day.

Brigadier Yerima said the troops, having contained the initial wave of the attack, had to occupy their alternative Headquarters at Gulumba Gana to enable the Air Component engage any gun trucks and other technicals in the vicinity of the attack to prevent what it referred to as fratricide.

The troops then launched a counter attack in the early hours of Monday 19 April 2021 and successfully reoccupied their main headquarters in Dikwa.

“The retreating terrorists suffered heavy losses in both equipment and personnel including some of their key leaders from the superior fire power of our troops both from the air and ground forces.

“The troops are currently patrolling Dikwa town and environs to assess the level of damage inflicted on the terrorists just as the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, has commended the troops for their doggedness and directed them to restrategise in order to prevent any further attacks in the area.

“The Nigerian Army remains committed towards ensuring a safe and secure environment through out the North East theatre,” the statement read.