Two Soldiers Killed as Troops Foil ISWAP Attack on Magumeri Base
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Two Soldiers Killed as Troops Foil ISWAP Attack on Magumeri Base
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Two soldiers were killed when troops of the Joint Task Force, North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, repelled an attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP on a military base in Magumeri.
The military disclosed this in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the insurgents launched the attack on the Forward Operating Base, Magumeri, in the early hours of Thursday under poor visibility conditions in an attempt to infiltrate the camp.
The military said troops fought back fiercely and successfully repelled the attack despite what it described as “minor breaches on an isolated section of the camp.”
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“Troops fought gallantly and decisively contained and defeated the attack by neutralising scores of the terrorists,” the statement read.
It added that subsequent exploitation operations conducted around the area revealed blood trails, dragged bodies and corpses of the attackers, indicating that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties during the failed assault.
“Further exploitation of the general area revealed extensive blood trails, body drags and the recovery of terrorist corpses, confirming the heavy casualties inflicted on the attackers,” the military stated.
The troops were also said to have recovered a cache of arms and ammunition abandoned by the fleeing insurgents, including PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, AK-47 rifles and magazines.
The statement, however, confirmed that two soldiers lost their lives during the exchange of gunfire, while an officer and other wounded personnel were receiving treatment.
“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the battle, while an officer and other wounded personnel are currently stable and receiving appropriate medical attention,” it added.
The military further disclosed that some equipment and temporary structures within the base were damaged by fire during the encounter.
INCNews247 learnt that troops have since commenced exploitation operations in the area to consolidate gains from the operation and determine the full extent of the damage inflicted on the insurgents.
The military high command commended the troops for their bravery and resilience in repelling the attack.
“The failed attack further underscores the fighting spirit of OPHK troops in denying terrorists freedom of action across the theatre of operation,” the statement said.
