100 Boko Haram fighters killed in Nigerian attack
The Nigerian Government has given a notional deadline of the year end by which to have routed Boko Haram and, whilst the terrorists are still killing people, the wave of violence shows some signs of subsiding. On Wednesday morning, however, Boko Haram launched a major attack on a police barracks in the Goniri area of Yobe state and lost: the local press reports over 100﻿ terrorists killed and seven Nigerian soldiers were also reported dead.  If this news is true, it marks a major improvement in the preparedness and ability of the Nigerian troops, which had previously been under-armed, under-fed and with very low morale.

Nigerian troops in a MT-LB multipurpose armoured vehicle on confidence-building patrols in northeastern Nigeria

WORLDSTAGE

7 October 2015

Nigerian Army said over 100 Boko Haram terrorists that made a futile attempt on 120 Task Force Battalion troops located at Goniri, Yobe State at the early hours of today were all killed.

A statement by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations said the fleeing terrorists had in a great sign of desperation and to create an impression that they remain relevant, at the early hours of today made a futile attempt on 120 Task Force Battalion troops located at Goniri, Yobe State.

“During the encounter our gallant troops successfully repelled the attacked and inflicted heavy casualty on the invading terrorists as all of them were killed. On the last count over 100 terrorists bodies were seen. Unfortunately however, 7 of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while defending our fatherland, while 1 officer and 8 soldiers were wounded in action,” the statement said.

“ During the encounter, the troops have recovered a sizeable (cache of) arms, ammunition and other equipment from the terrorists. These include 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenades, 9 AK-47 rifles and belted rounds of 7.62 (NATO) ammunition.

Others were various wires used for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 7 primed IEDs, different types of spanners and a torchlight.”

The statement said troops had consolidated on the encounter and more determined to defend their location and continued to serve as blocking force to any fleeing terrorists from the Nigerian Air Force aerial bombardments and other troops artillery fire.

In a related development, troops of 21 Brigade on fighting patrol from Bama to Ngurosoye were said to have destroyed Boko Haram terrorists camps along that axis.

“While on patrol, the brave soldiers came across some of the terrorists hideouts that also served as fabricating area for IEDs and the terrorists’ training area. Another patrol along Bama-Kawuri axis discovered and exhumed IEDs and wires for detonation,” it said.

“It is important to reiterate that the Nigerian Army along with the support of the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies would not relent in its determined effort of defeating Boko Haram terrorists.”