NIGERIA: Boko Haram Landmines Kill Five Nigerian Soldiers

Landmines placed by suspected radical members of Boko Haram have killed five soldiers and injured 15 others during an operation in a remote village in Borno State.

The troops were on a clearance operation in Kwada Kwamtah Yahi village when their vehicle ran over a massive bomb and exploded.

Speaking to a local newspaper journalist, a top vigilante member, Yohanna Bitrus, said a utility operation vehicle ran over a buried Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and loud explosions ensued, resulting in casualties among troops in the two Hilux vehicles.

“It was a sad encounter for us in Chibok when our escort commander’s car ran over a landmine and the van was damaged completely.

“I saw the vehicle being tossed up into the air. We managed and summoned courage to evacuate the corpses of the fallen heroes including a lieutenant and four soldiers.

“Not fewer than 15 others sustained various degrees of injuries; they are currently receiving medical care at 28 Task Force Bridge Clinic in Chibok,” he said.

In the interim, the Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO in conjunction with the Air Task Force Operation Lafiya Dole repelled Boko Haram insurgents when they tried to attack a military base in Marte community, Borno State.

In a statement on Saturday by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, its troops “have effectively destroyed 7 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ gun trucks.

The statement reads: “The gallant troops, based on reliable information about the attack, had positioned themselves in an ambush site where they tactically withdrew to and awaited the arrival of the terrorists before they opened fire which led to the fierce battle that resulted in the successes recorded as indicated above.

“The troops are still engaged in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists for further exploitation. Further details of interest to members of the public will be communicated later.”

Boko Haram has been blamed for the death of more than 50,000 people and displacement of 2.5 million others in Nigeria since 2009.