Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the killing of an Army Colonel and a Captain during a clash with Boko Haram terrorists in Borno and Yobe States on Friday.
DAILY POST had reported that the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in charge of the 212 Battalion in the northeast, Col Ado Isa, who confirmed this in a statement, said that the incident occurred when the Colonel, a Captain and three soldiers on transit from Maiduguri to Damaturu ran into an ambush staged by routed and fleeing terrorists from the Jakana axis.
The statement reads, ”Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Jakana, on Wednesday neutralised some Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists.
”The suspects had attempted to infiltrate their base in dire need for logistics.
”The terrorists came at about 1845 hours in 7 Gun Trucks and fought fiercely to infiltrate the camp, but the attack was thwarted with heavy fire and bombardment by the gallant and patriotic troops who were vigilant and battle ready.
”The terrorists couldn’t bear the fire power any longer after loosing significant number of both equipment and personnel in an exchange of fire. They lost initiative and withdrew in disarray along the Benisheikh – Damaturu axis, – abandoning a damaged utility Gun truck which was earmarked to convey looted items.
”Troops immediately followed in hot pursuit and the following items were captured: 1 x Anti Aircraft Gun, 2 x Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Tubes 2 x AK 47 Rifles, 15 x Machine Gun rounds, 12 x AK 47 NATO rounds.
”Sadly, a Colonel and a Captain as well as 3 soldiers on transit from Maiduguri to Damaturu run into an ambush staged by the routed/fleeing terrorists from the Jakana axis which led to their unfortunate death.”
Reacting to the sad incident, Atiku commiserated with the deceased families.
Atiku on Twitter wrote, “I received report of the loss of soldiers in Yobe and Borno attacks with sadness.
“My deepest condolences to families of the deceased and to families of all those who may have lost a dear one in the frontlines. May their sacrifices never be in vain.”
