The Nigerian Army has formally confirmed that it lost six of its men while five others sustained various degrees of injuries when Boko Haram insurgents attacked one of its bases at Mainok, Borno State, on Sunday, 25 April 2021.
In a statement on Sunday, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima, said the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Mainok, “came under multi-directional attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists mounted on unconfirmed number of Gun Trucks as well as foot soldiers with possible intent of establishing a phantom caliphate in the town.”
Yerima, however, said that the terrorists were held by the troops of 156 Task Force Battalion until the arrival of reinforcement teams from 7 Division, Special Army Super Camp, Ngamdu, and Army Super Camp 4, Benesheik.
After the fire fight, which he said lasted several hours, Yerima said scores of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized, but one gallant officer and six soldiers were killed, while five others sustained various degrees of injuries.
“The wounded soldiers have already been evacuated to the military medical facility for treatment. Currently, troops are in full control of Mainok and environ as exploitation for fleeing terrorists is ongoing,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, has commended the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for their resilience, commitment and doggedness.
He also reassured Nigerians of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defeating Boko Haram/SWAP terrorists, but appealed to citizens to always avail the troops with accurate and timely information for prompt action.
