By IIkechuhwu Obi
The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai, has commended the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole for its role in foiling an attempted ambush on troops in Marte, Borno State over the weekend.
The commendation is contained in a statement by Brigadier General Sagir Musa the Director of Army Public Relations.
He revealed that the Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE played a decisive and commendable role in the destruction of 7 terrorists’ gun trucks and decimation of unconfirmed number of the insurgents in Marte, Borno State when they attempted to set an ambush for Nigerian troops.
According to the statement the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai, “appreciates and commends the troops, especially the Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE for their heroic and patriotic actions which resulted in the successes recorded” .
He urged them to maintain the momentum and expedite actions to ensure speedy final defeat of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the country.
Recall that over the weekend the Nigeria military had successfully eliminated Boko Haram terrorists in a Military Base Invasion at Marte In a strategic tactical manoeuvre.
And successfully eliminated scores of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists at Marte town.
It was gathered that the ISWAP elements, attempted to invade and ‘massacre’ soldiers in a military base at Marte, a town in Borno State. But the military troops, acting on credible intelligence, tactically withdraw from their base.
They however, returned, ambushed and neutralized several terrorists who had already invaded their base. According to intelligence sources, the ground troops and Air Task Force, which prosecuted the operation destroyed seven gun trucks belonging to the insurgents.
The development was confirmed in a press release signed by Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, acting Director Defence Media Operations. The official read thus: “Troops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO in conjunction with the Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE have effectively destroyed 7 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ gun trucks and decimated several unconfirmed number of the terrorists when they attempted to attack their location at the outskirts of Marte in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State. “The gallant troops, based on reliable information about the attack, had positioned themselves in an ambush site where they tactically withdrew to, and awaited the arrival of the terrorists before they opened fire which led to the fierce battle that resulted in the successes recorded as indicated above.
“The troops are still engaged in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists for further exploitation. Further details of interest to members of the public will be communicated later.” PRNigeria gathered that the videos of the tactical manoeuvre and aerial bombardments of air task force would soon be released. The military formation is safe in the hand of the Nigerian troops.
