Troops recover 3 vehicles, 1 APC from insurgents —Laleye

THE Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, recovered three Hilux vehicles mounted with machine and anti-aircraft guns, one Mowag Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and other assorted arms and ammunition from insurgents, a statement said.

The statement, issued by Brigadier-General Olajide Laleye, the Director of Army Public Relations, on Wednesday, said the recovery was made when troops engaged the insurgents in a fight at Konduga, Borno.

Laleye said the terrorists attacked Konduga on Tuesday night, in an attempt to regain momentum they lost in the town, but were denied the opportunity by vigilant and gallant troops.

“During the fight, several terrorists were killed and those fleeing Konduga with gunshot wounds are being pursued,” he said.

The army spokesman said the troops’ morale and combat efficiency had remained high, adding that further details about the engagement and supporting photographs were being awaited.

According to him, the renewed morale, fighting spirit and combat efficiency of troop

s had been boosted by new strategies devised by the armed forces and support of the public.

“Therefore, the Nigerian Army implores the public to continue to support the military and other security agencies engaged in the ongoing operation to rid Nigeria of blood-letting insurgents and ruthless religious extremists,” it said.

Meanwhile, Laleye has clarified that the “widely reported Boko Haram attack on troops along Okene-Kabba road in Kogi” is not a Boko Haram related incident.

“In reality, the incident was a case of robbery attack on troops of 322 Artillery Regiment, who were travelling in seven Marcopolo buses to Kontagora for an engagement,” he said.

Laleye explained that the robbers mistook the soldiers for normal civilian travellers, who plied the route.

He said three soldiers, who sustained injuries during the robbery attack, were receiving appropriate medical care and would soon join their colleagues.