About eight Nigerian soldiers are believed to have paid the supreme sacrifice at the weekend after running into an ambush by the Boko Haram insurgents at the Yobe regional war theatre of the Northeast.
A military source said that the soldiers, who were on routine patrol in Yobe state, caught up into the trap while manoeuvring out of the ambush.
A military source in Damaturu told DAILY NIGERIAN that the figure may be higher considering the number of injured soldiers who may need superior medical treatment in tertiary facilities.
However, Operation Lafia Dole spokesman, Onyema Nwachukwu, in a release, confirmed that there were some casualties but refused to disclose the figures of the casualties.
Mr Nwachukwu added that the 233 Battalion actually neutralised scores of the Boko Haram insurgents along Sasawa Road in Babangida Local Government Area of Yobe State while countering an ambush staged by them.
“The troops encountered the ambush during a fighting patrol to clear the general area of fleeing elements of Boko Haram terrorists who have been on rampage for food and logistics.
“The gallant troops overpowered and neutralized the insurgents in the firefight that ensued and successfully extricated themselves from the ambush.
“Information has so far confirmed that the insurgents whose original mission was to attack and loot the nearby Babangida market for food and other logistics aborted the mission to stage the ambush on getting wind of the troops’ patrol.
“Unfortunately, while fighting through the ambush, the troops recorded some casualties,” Mr Nwachukwu said.
He added that the situation has been brought under firm control by the troops while additional troops have been drafted to the area to reinforce the patrol troops.
According to him, the Air Task Force is on aerial surveillance of the general area to track down fleeing terrorist survivors to ensure they are neutralised.
