Following their failed attempt to take over a town, Damasak, in Borno state last week, the Boko Haram terrorist have again attempted to overrun Dikwa local government area of the state.
The terrorist attempt was foiled by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, who are currently taking another operation codenamed; Operation Tura Takaibango on Sunday.
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, director, army public relations said in a release on Monday said that the army had inflicted heavy casualty on the terrorist group during the attack. He noted that the forces on ground were supported by the Air Component to rebelled the attack.
‘The terrorists in their numbers mounted on 12 gun trucks attacked the town on the eve of Sunday 18 April 2021, just as the locals prepare to break their Ramadan fast for the day.
”The troops having contained the initial wave of the attack had to occupy their alternative Headquarters at Gulumba Gana to enable the Air Component engage any gun trucks and other technicals in the vicinity of the attack to prevent fratricide. The troops launched a counter attack in the early hours of Monday 19 April 2021 and successfully reoccupied their main headquarters in Dikwa,” Yerima said.
He added that, ”the retreating terrorists suffered heavy losses in both equipment and personnel including some of their key leaders from the superior fire power of own troops both from the air and ground forces. The troops are currently patrolling Dikwa town and environs to assess the level of damage inflicted on the terrorists.”
Like Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar local government area of Borno, Dikwa is seen also as a strategic area for Boko Haram
The town lies near the Yedseram River, which flows into Lake Chad, and has road connections to Bama, Ngala, Kukawa and the state’s capital Maiduguri. Taking control of Dikwa will make it easier for the terrorist to move from different communities to the other and to get access to supplies, recruit new members among other things.
On repelling the latest attack, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, has commended the troops for their doggedness and directed them to restrategise in order to prevent any further attacks in the area, Yerima said.
Similarly, the cheif of defense staff, Bashir Salihu Magashi had earlier charged the Nigerian army troops to confront the terrorist without fear or favour. He made the call on Sunday when he visited the troops in Maiduguri.
