Chidi Samuel
At least 13 soldiers were on Monday injured, while some are still missing in action after an attack by Boko Haram terrorists at Gashigar, Borno state. Acting Director, Army Public Relations,Col. Sani Usman disclosed in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, that the attack occured at Gashigar, a border area of Northern Borno with Niger Republic.
“Yesterday (Monday) at about 5.30 p.m. suspected escaping remnants of Boko Haram terrorists attacked troops location at Gashigar, border area with Niger Republic, Northern Borno .
“The troops did their best to defend the location.
“In the process, 13 soldiers’ sustained injuries while some are still missing in action.
“The temporary setback made the troops to withdraw from the location.
“However, the wounded soldiers have been evacuated and receiving treatment, while efforts are ongoing in search of those missing and clear the Boko Haram terrorists at the general area,” said.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has pledged to support Federal Government efforts, including diplomacy aimed at rescuing the remaining Chibok girls and other Nigerians abducted by Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.
HE made the committment while taking questions from newsmen after inaugurating the new headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Yaba.
Speaking on the fate of the remaining Chibok girls, Buratai said: “As for the army, we are working on our own strategy not only for the rescue of the Chibok girls, but other Nigerians that have been abducted by the insurgents.
“It is our objective that we rescue everybody.”
He also stated that the Multinational Joint Task were addressing the attack of the insurgents which continues to occur.
“You cannot call these attacks resurgence of insurgency. We are taking care of the attacks.
“Whenever there is attack, we look at it again and see what happens so that we address subsequent ones.
“There is a conflict in which we have done very well. We have gone very far, we have put – terrorists out of our territory.
“They mostly come from outside our territory to attack our troops. We are working along with the Multinational Joint Task Force to address that.”