The Nigerian Army on Saturday lost a gallant senior officer, Brig.-Gen. Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers when troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai encountered Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists at Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

While the officers paid the supreme sacrifice having successfully defended the civilians in the town, troops neutralised scores of ISWAP terrorists

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said that the fierce encounter which was supported by the Air Component of OPHK had deployed five A-Jet, two A-29, two Dragon combat vehicles and nine Gun Trucks and APC against the terrorists.

Nwachukwu said the deceased officer and the soldiers exhibited rare displayed of gallantry as they provided reinforcement in a counter offensive against the terrorists and successfully defended the location.

He said the families of the senior officer and soldiers had been contacted.

According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has deeply commiserated with the families and relations of the fallen heroes.

Yahaya said the gallant officer and soldiers courageously defended the territorial integrity of Nigeria and Nigerians even at the expense of their own lives.

He also directed that the troops continued in the ferocious counter-offensive and hot pursuit to eliminate the remnant of the fleeing terrorists.

In its report, PRNigeria stated that hours after top commanders of ISWAP were killed by military airstrikes, fighters of the sect launched attacks in Askira Uba, Mulai, Ngamdu and Buniyadi in the North-East.

The online platform reported that scores of ISWAP commanders were eliminated and others injured on Friday by sustained aerial bombardments from the military jets, when they were holding a meeting with their new leader, Sani Shuwaram, at Sabon Tumbun and Jibularam, in Marte Local Government Area in Borno State.

“In a reprisal, the insurgents on several gun trucks stormed some communities to avenge the loss of their top commanders.

“The ISWAP terrorists, who invaded the Askira Uba town destroyed telecommunication masts with guns and other firearms in their possession, forcing residents to flee.

“A military commander was killed in an ambush while leading troops on reinforcement operation. Some soldiers were also killed.

“Another group of terrorists attacked Mulai village, close to Maiduguri and rustled some cattle while another gang of fighters attacked a communication mast and health centre in Buni Yadi, Yobe State and carted away generator set and drugs.

“Meanwhile, at Ngamdu, in Kaga Local Government of Borno, ISWAP terrorists suffered a devastating blow in the hands of the troops, unfortunately, three Special Force operatives paid the Supreme sacrifice during the encounter,” PRNigeria reported.