The major highway between Maiduguri and Damboa has been closed on Saturday as troops of Operation Hadin Kai engaged Boko Haram terrorists in a long shootout.
The PUNCH learnt that suspected members of Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād; Boko Haram terrorists ambushed troops of Operation Hadin Kai escorting commercial vehicles from Maiduguri to Damboa in Falouja village, Borno State.
A counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama, noted that local sources, some of whom escaped the attack confirmed that the ambush triggered a heavy exchange of gunfire between the terrorists and the soldiers, forcing passengers in the convoy to scamper for safety with the help of the troops.
An impeccable source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the terrorists attacked the troops with a Rocket Propelled Grenade, and followed up with heavy gunfire.
He noted that a soldier was killed after sustaining bullet wounds, while three others were injured, adding that they were evacuated to Damboa hospital for treatment.
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