From Mustapa Buhari, Maiduguri
An army officer, eight soldiers and unspecified number of terrorists have been killed as Boko Haram ambushed NNPC’s oil prospecting team at Jilli village, along Maiduguri-Magumeri-Gubio road in Borno State.
At least ten persons comprising four members of Civilian JTF, two staff of the NNPC, one official of the Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, among others abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday.
The victims were on official duty to survey oil exploration site when hundreds of heavily armed militants appeared from the desert and opened fire on the convoy.
A statement by the spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Sani Usman, said the troops retaliated the attack and rescued the kidnapped victims shortly afterwards.
“Yesterday Tuesday 25th July 2017, at about 3.00pm, suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed the escort and team of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) staff returning from oil exploration at Barno Yasu, Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.
“On receipt of the information, the Brigade mobilized and sent reinforcement, search and rescue party that include the Armed Forces Special Forces and guides that worked and pursued the terrorists throughout the night.
“So far, they have rescued all the NNPC staff and recovered the corpses of the officer, 8 soldiers and a civilian, and have been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.
“The team recovered 4 vehicles one of which include a gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, 2 white Hilux taken away from NNPC staff and 1 blue Hilux belonging to CJTF. They team also recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition, several spare tyres, many jerry cans of containing Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant, assorted drugs, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials, reflective jackets and a Motorola handheld radio, among others. The team also neutralized many of the terrorists.
“The troops are not relenting in the pursuit, search and rescue effort,” Mr Usman, a brigadier-general, said.
Director of information of the institution, Danjuma Gambo, had earlier in the day told journalists that: “So far we are yet to ascertain to level of involvement of our students and staff, we are waiting for a briefs from military authority”.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered from military sources that troops of the 5 Brigade, Gubio and members of the Civilian JTF trailed the terrorists to their hide-outs and killed many, while scores escaped with gunshot injuries.
The joint operation was reportedly led by the Brigade Commander, Aminu Shehu Chinide and leader of Civilian JTF in Gubio, Bulama Bukar Maradona.
The operation also led to the recovery of many arms and ammunition, as well as four vehicles belonging to the victims that were snatched by the insurgents.
Chairman of Gubio local government area, Zanna Modu, while confirming the rescue of the abductees, told journalists that the council mobilised the Civilian JTF and provided necessary logistics needed for the operation.
Mr Modu expressed delight that almost all the insurgents who participated in the attack were killed by troops.
The chairman added that the number of casualties from the side of the terrorists was devastating.
