The Nigerian Army has lost two officers and five soldiers during a fierce encounter of troops of Sector 1 Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation HADIN KAI with Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at Kala Balge town in Borno State.

The terrorists who mounted gun trucks and motorcycles infiltrated Kala Balge town on Friday, December 3.

In the fierce battle for Kala Balge, troops defended the town and killed 26 terrorists.

The troops also captured terrorists’ combat vehicles, 18 AK 47 rifles and one M-21 rifle with large quantity of ammunition. Several other equipment were also destroyed by troops.

“The insurgents attacked troops deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) Rann, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.

“Troops gallantly engaged the maurading terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission and withdrew in disarray.

“Regrettably, two officers and five soldiers paid the supreme price, while three personnel who sustained gun shot wounds are currently receiving medical attention,” Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Army Public Relations.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya has paid tribute to the departed heroes, who paid the supreme price in defending their fatherland.

He has also commended troops for their gallantry in the North-East, especially with the recent successes recorded in Gajiram and the Tumbus.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on Saturday repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the outskirt of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

Brig.-Gen. Nwachukwu, in a statement on Saturday, said the terrorists made futile attempts to maintain potency with explosions at Gomari community and 1,000 Housing Estate.

Nwachukwu said that the terrorists also fired shots into the communities, causing some level of damage and apprehension in residential areas.

He said that while no life was lost, a young child sustained injury during the attack.

According to him, ground troops, in conjunction with the Air Component of OPHK, responded swiftly and dominated the area with ground and air interdictions that successfully neutralised the threats and infiltration attempt by the terrorists.