The Nigerian military yesterday suffered the loss of about 70 of her soldiers to a Boko Haram attack in Gorgi village of Borno state.

The attackers ambushed the soldiers with rockets propelled grenades and other heavy weaponry as the soldiers conducted a mop up exercise in the area, according to reports monitored by Reuters. The military evacuated the wounded soldiers to Maiduguri for treatment. While the dead were taken to Maimalari barrack’s military hospital.

Speaking on the development yesterday, Cordinator, Defence Military Operations Major Gen. John Enenche while refusing to give the exact number of casualty said:

“As you know, we are in a fluid conflict situation and our gallant troops are out there at the frontlines. Between March 21 and 23, 2020, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, were on clearance and fighting patrol operation to Gorgi in Borno State which was successfully done.

“However, during consolidation they were ambushed by elements of Boko Haram Terrorists, BHT. Sadly, we suffered some casualties in the unfortunate attack.

“However,  the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole scrambled immediately and provided close Air Support to the ground troops.

“While the Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, ISR, platform as well as the fighter jets engaged the Boko Haram terrorists, immobilising and killing some of the terrorists and immobilising a gun truck.

“Some others, who attempted to withdraw, were also mopped up by the jets in follow-on attacks. The Defence Headquarters commiserate with the families of our fallen gallant heroes who paid the supreme price in the course of defending our fatherland.

“We assure Nigerians that the armed forces and other security agencies in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the North East and other parts of the country will continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of our nation.” the statement said.

It could be recalled that, Boko Haram and other Islamic militants have been waging war against Nigeria and other neighboring countries in the region since 2009. Estimated death toll its in tens of thousands and over 2 million people displaced.