50 killed as Boko Haram faction, army clash in Borno

No fewer than 50 terrorists of Islamic State West Africa Province fighters, ISWAP, were reportedly killed by soldiers attached to Operation Hadan Kai in Borno State on Wednesday, in a gun battle.

According to SaharaReporters the insurgents battled with the troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade in the Damboa area of Borno State, and could have been overrun but the military’s MI-35M attack helicopter alongside L-39ZA and Alpha jets arrived promptly to save the situation.

It was learnt that over 50 ISWAP fighters were killed during the air strikes while about 11 gun trucks with which they attacked the base were destroyed.

The insurgents suffered losses with the bodies of their fighters strewn over the location but it was not sure if there was any casualty yet on the side of the Nigerian Army troops.

This is at least the third time this year that ISWAP would be using a Nigerian army armoured vehicle to attack troops.

The situation remains fluid over fears that ISWAP could regroup and launch another.

“Troops neutralised over 50 ISWAP insurgents including top commander Oumar Tela in a failed attempted attack on military base yesterday in Damboa town, Borno State. Several gun trucks and vehicles bearing improvised explosive devices were destroyed.

“The Nigerian Military Mi-35 Fighter Helicopter was in action against the terrorists around the Damboa axis for hours, and helped in neutralising scores of the fighters,” a military source stated.