Troops foil attempt by insurgents to attack Dikwa

By Joy Baba

Authorities of the Defence Headquarters have said attempts by terrorists to attack Ajiri and Mafa as well as other communities in the outskirt of Maiduguri and Dikwa in Borno state towards the Cameroon borders, on Wednesday were foiled by the security forces.

The ambush mounted by the terrorists to enable them unleash terror on the communities unchallenged, was also cleared by troops on reinforcement mission.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information (DDI) Major General Chris Olukolade in Abuja yesterday.

The statement said arms captured from the terrorists include various brands of machine guns and improvised explosive devices adding that twenty insurgents died in the encounter, while own troops sustained varying degree of injuries.

The statement further said more camps were destroyed on Wednesday in encounters at various forests and mountain locations around Adamawa and Borno States denying allegations making the round that the Nigerian Military has been overwhelmed by the insurgents.

“Defense Headquarters has noted with grave concern the inflammatory pronouncements by some highly placed persons in government and some apparently sponsored commentators in and outside the country who have consistently given false and misleading remarks to describe the disposition of troops in the ongoing operations.

“It has become clear that this sustained campaign is intended to demoralize the troops and give the impression that the military is overwhelmed by the terrorist group. This tendency is unfortunate to say the least.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, it is hereby restated that the Nigerian military cannot by any standard be overwhelmed by the insurgents neither will the devious antics of their sympathizers and sponsors demoralize the fighting spirit of troops.

“Nigerians and indeed all well-wishers are enjoined to discountenance the propaganda messages of the terrorists and their backers alleging the inability of Nigerians troops to handle the insurgency”, the statement said.