Nigerian military maul insurgents, kill 42 in Adamawa

Nigerian troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole stationed in Adamawa State, recorded another victory in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations after they repelled a well-planned attack by the Boko Haram sect in Madagali Local Government Area, killing 42 terrorists in the process.

A statement signed by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman, states that the terrorists had laid a noiseless siege on Barkin Dutse village of Madagali in the night of Monday, November 6, 2017, before their plot to unleash terror on the community were thwarted.

The insurgents, it was gathered, had converged on Barkin Dutse and were advancing towards Gulak, the headquarters of Madagali LGA before they met their Waterloo in the hands of the combat-ready troop.

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The insurgents had reportedly targeted the attack and capture of Gulak town but while advancing in the dark, information was relayed to the troops who responded swiftly by engaging them in a fierce gun battle, leaving scores of the attackers dead.

A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force [CJTF], Usman Surakat, who spoke to newsmen in the aftermath of the battle, said the insurgents launched the ambushed at night at about 8 pm and had the intention of capturing Gulak.

“Our vigilant people sent out signals immediately to troops and they responded before the terrorists could reach their target of Gulak. It was a serious fight.

The CJTF and the local hunters assisted the soldiers in the fight and after the ensuing fire, we counted 42 dead bodies of the terrorists who came to torment us.

The insurgents could not bear the heat. They started moving back and with the troops advancing with more gunfire and reinforcements, and at a point, the terrorists could not bear the heat and had to run away, ” Surakat said.

Another eyewitness, Aminu Song who narrated the fear that gripped the community following the invasion, also said:

“I think what helped was the quick information sent out to the soldiers and their rapid response. If not so, they would have caused a terrible damage or even recaptured Madagali.

But when the soldiers came and engaged them in the fierce battle, they had no option but to flee. They abandoned some of their weapons and managed to run away with those injured.

I can say this ambush turned out to be the greatest mistake by the terrorists who had to retreat immediately. They never thought soldiers will react immediately until they had done the damage and gone like before.”

A local hunter who identified himself as Bulus, who said he also featured in the background in assisting soldiers to repel the attacks, said after the attack, 42 bodies of the insurgents were counted.

"We counted 42 bodies of the insurgents but we are yet to cross check with the local authority. But there was confusion as soldiers exchanged gunfire with the terrorists; people panicked and ran out of their homes to safer areas.

Some ran to mountains and hills. So, in a situation like this, the possibility of more death cannot be ruled out. But what I know is that the insurgents were not allowed to strike Gulak.”

One of the leaders of CJTF in Madagali who identified himself as Usman Kabiru praised the military for their bravery and rapid response which he said was the only saving grace of the people of Madagali.

“I want to thank and encourage all those who acted by hinting of the movement of the terrorists in this incident. Let them keep the spirit.

Our military really impressed us because they were alerted and acted instantly, though it was in the night,” Kabiru said.

ALSO READ:"Boko Haram: Normalcy returns to Gulak, as Army repels attack"

Confirming the incident, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, also thanked the military for their prompt action in repelling the insurgents' attack on the community which could have led to another massacre.