The Nigerian Army yesterday said suspected Boko Haram militants foraging for food, ambushed troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole escorting commercial vehicles from Damboa to Maiduguri at Sanda general area, Borno State.
A statement from army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman said : “Unfortunately, five civilians lost their lives at the incident and another died on the way to hospital. Three soldiers also sustained injuries.”
He said the wounded were evacuated to Maiduguri. He said consequently, another patrol team was despatched to reinforce the troops, clear the general area and pursue the militants. He noted that the army would not allow the isolated incident to thwart the peace and security commuters enjoy along the route and all other opened routes in the North-east.
He said troops were on the heels of the attackers and would not relent till they are apprehended or killed. He said additional security measures had also been placed to avert reoccurrence.
He said: “The Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, wishes to clarify that what happened was that two persons were murdered at Kwamjilari village, (which is over 30 kilometres from Chibok, and very close to Sambisa forest) by suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists looking for food. We wish to reiterate that they weren’t killed outside or near a church as being bandied around.”
He added that people from the said village were all at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Chibok. He said those who went back to the village without authorization were moved back to Chibok two weeks ago.
“Those killed went back on their own contrary to security advice. Nevertheless, a patrol team was sent from Chibok went to the village this morning,” he said.
Usman said adequate measures would be taken to ensure that no one go back to the village for now.
