By Sadiq Abubakar
Maiduguri
Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-east, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, has re-assured residents of Borno state of the military’s untiring resolve to safeguard lives and property of the people.
Briefing journalists at the operation’s media centre, Irabor said the military was determined to “completely wipe out” insurgents in the country.
“Our mandate is clear, and we remain committed to this mandate,” he said.
He commended supports and contributions of various stakeholders in the fight against insurgency in the North-east.
Irabor urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement of persons and objects to the military or other security agencies.
He commiserated with Nigeria and Niger Republic military authorities over death of some soldiers at Bosso border town of Niger Republicduring the construction of bridge linking Bosso town in Niger Republicterritory and Malam Fatori town in Nigeria territory during theirrecently bloody encounter with Boko Haram.
The soldiers were killed after they ran into an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno state.
“Although two soldiers lost their lives, eight terrorists were killed and several ammunition were recovered.
“Some soldiers sustained injury during the operation and were taken to military hospital for treated.”
Irabor said the soldiers lost their lives “gallantly” in active service to their fatherland, which, according to him, is a supreme sacrifice that could be paid during operations.
He said troops killed 19 insurgents, including one of the leaders, Abubakar Grema, during a fierce encounter in Chukuk gudu, and recovered several ammunition.
The Theatre Commander said troops killed five insurgents and rescued 16 people, including nine children, while conducting a long range clearing operations at Matari Hawawari Gursun Abakar and Nglamar villages in Alagarno forest.
