Moses Ofodeme
Nigerian army troops of Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole have successfully staged an ambush against identified Boko Haram terrorists at Mainok-Jakana axis; in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno, killing nine insurgents.
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa disclosed this in a statement released Wednesday, in which he disclosed that the operation against the Boko Haram terrorists took place at about 6:30 pm.
“So far, nine Boko Haram terrorists have lost their lives. Two gun trucks mounted with anti- aircraft guns have been captured and exploitation is ongoing by the troops. Two soldiers are slightly wounded and the situation in the area has been normalised,” he said.
Also, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF); is to deploy more forces to Maiduguri in the ongoing fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.
Abubakar made this known during a working visit to the Air Task Force of “Operation Lafiya Dole”; on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
According to him, the deployment of more forces was to strengthen the task force.
Furthermore, the CAS who inaugurated some projects including accommodation during the visit; said it was meant to cater for the additional personnel to be deployed.
“The security challenges faced by Nigeria are obstacles to development that can only be surmounted if we remain resolute in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminality. However, I make bold to say that we have, so far, confronted these elements head-on, and for that; I am proud of you all gallant officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force.
‘‘The NAF, through the Air Task Force Op LAFIYA DOLE; has continued to perform very critical roles in providing the much needed air support required for ground operations. In pursuit of NAF constitutional roles, and in line with my vision for the force, I have constantly sought; not only to evolve strategies that will enable the Service adequately project air-power to effectively and efficiently deal with prevalent security threats; but to also see to it that personnel welfare is given utmost priority,” the air staff chief said.
He said that his administration would continue to do its best to ensure that accommodation problems are eradicated in NAF.