Boko Haram militants ambush Nigerian troops, kill 5

At least five Nigerian soldiers and four civilian vigilante support force were killed Sunday in an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists in Damboa local government area of Borno State, officials said.
Nineteen soldiers and a Civilian-JTF operative were also injured in the attack.
The troops came under the attack as they returned to their camp after a raid of the insurgents hideouts in villages around Damboa local government area.
The spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Sani Usman, who confirmed this in a statement, said the injured personnel have been evacuated to a military clinic where they are being given medical care.
“Operation LAFIYA DOLE troops carrying out clearance operations on suspected Boko Haram terrorists hideouts in Talala and Ajigin, southern part of Borno State, were ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Ugundiri village, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State, while returning to base after clearance operations yesterday,” said Colonel Usman, an acting director army public relations.
“Unfortunately, 5 soldiers, 3 vigilantes and 1 Civilian JTF lost their lives during the ambush, while 19 soldiers and 1 Civilian JTF sustained various degrees of injuries.
“The bodies of the late soldiers and civilians have been evacuated to Maiduguri while the injured are receiving commensurate medical care and are in stable condition.
“The troops destroyed the terrorists Gun truck and recovered 2 Anti-Aircraft guns, 2 spare Gun barrels, 1 General Purpose Machine Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade, 1 AK-47 Rifle and 320 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

“Troops have been mobilized into blocking positions to further neutralize fleeing Boko Haram terrorists,” he said.
Mr. Sani said in a separate development, troops “neutralised” Boko Haram fighters based on information received about their gathering around Bori village, which is 16 kilometres away from Mainok, outskirts of Maiduguri.
“The troops recovered 3 Motorcycles, 1 hand Grenade, 1 round of 7.62mm ammunition, Solar panel, a pair of Niger Republic military camouflage uniform, 1 Gionee mobile telephone handset, 1 Wet Cell battery and half bag of groundnut” said Colonel Usman.
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