Mainok: How Late Army Commander, Soldiers Averted Carnage in ISWAP/Boko Haram Attack
It was the gallantry of a Nigerian Army Commander, and a battalion of troops he was leading that prevented Boko Haram terrorists from killing many innocent residents of Mainok on Sunday, intelligence sources told PRNigeria.
The courageous Commander and some of his loyal lieutenants were eventually killed after exchanges of gunfire with terrorists for hours.
The terrorists in military uniforms had disguised as friendly forces to sneek into military zones in the town.
PRNigeria in a story yesterday, said that Nigerian military troops recorded casualties after an attack by ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists in Mainok, a town in Borno State.
It however, could not confirm when the casualties were recorded after it had early reported that the troops and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack jets, on Sunday foiled an attack by the terrorists.
Riding in dozen gun trucks, the Boko Haram fighters attempted to dislodge a military base, after invading the community in Borno State.
“They had attempted to overtake and dislodge a military base through Dogon Karfe in Mainok, but met stiff resistance from the dogged ground troops before the arrival of NAF Jets,” a military source had said.
But PRNigeria learnt that the Army Commander had urged his battalion of troops not to flee the insurgents, but confront them.
“The Commander had urged the troops not to run away but to confront the advancing terrorists.
“While some soldiers fled, others remained with their Commander, exchanging gunfire with the terrorists who rode in dozen gun trucks with sophisticated weapons.
“The enemies came from different directions on gun trucks and surprisingly some of them came from within the town to attack the military formation.
“Though troops killed some of the terrorists before the gallant commander and some of the soldiers who refused to flee were overwhelmed, and butchered, ” the intelligence source said.
He added that troops lamented their frustrations by the activities of some residents acting as moles and informants to terrorists.
“They not only tip the Boko Haram terrorists, but guide them to navigate the town and different locations in the area in confronting troops and destroying security facilities and carting away weapons.
“It is so painful that some of the troops that were eventually overwhelmed and butchered by the godless terrorists were observing the Islamic Ramadan Fasting.”
PRNigeria gathered that military jets and helicopters later tackled the terrorists before reinforcements of troops from other locations in curtailing the carnage in Mainok
By PRNigeria
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MAINOK: COAS APPLAUDS TROOPS OF OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE FOR THEIR RESILIENCE AND DOGGEDNESS
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On Sunday 25 April 2021, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Mainok, Borno State, came under multi-directional attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists mounted on unconfirmed number of Gun Trucks as well as foot soldiers with possible intent of establishing a phantom caliphate in the town. The terrorists were held by the gallant troops of 156 Task Force Battalion until the arrival of reinforcement teams from 7 Division, Special Army Super Camp Ngamdu and Army Super Camp 4, Benesheik.
During the fire fight which lasted several hours, the gallant troops tactically lured a number of the terrorists into a killing zone within their camp where the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole scrambled Alpha jets and helicopter gunship which took turns in decimating the already trapped terrorists. In the aftermath of the encounter, scores of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized with their body part littering the area and a number of their gun trucks destroyed.
Regrettably, one gallant Officer and six soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while 5 other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries. The wounded soldiers have already been evacuated to the military medical facility for treatment. Currently, troops are in full control of Mainok and environ as exploitation for fleeing terrorists is ongoing.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru has applauded troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for their resilience, commitment and doggedness and further reassured Nigerians of the Army’s unalloyed commitment to defeating Boko Haram/SWAP terrorists while urging citizens to always avail the troops with accurate and timely information for prompt action.
MOHAMMED YERIMA
Brigadier General
Director, Army Public Relations
26 April, 2021
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Mainok: Zulum Pays Tribute to Fallen Soldiers, Empathizes with Bereaved Families
Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has conveyed empathy and condolences to the families of some soldiers who died at the weekend during a battle with Boko Haram insurgents in Mainok town, along Maiduguri-Damaturu high way.
Zulum, in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, described the fallen soldiers as heroes, who died protecting the people of Borno and defending Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Regardless of what happened in Mainok and how it happened as we collectively review the incident, we must first, and importantly, recognize that those soldiers who lost their lives at the weekend were fellow Nigerians; they were parents of children who are now orphans, husbands to wives who are now widows, and loved ones to families and friends now bereaved. They were soldiers of our armed forces who chose out of love for our country, to risk their lives in trying to keep us as safe and to protect the sovereignty of our country. We mourn these heroic soldiers and anyone caught at the unfortunate setback in Mainok. We salute these fallen soldiers for their immeasurable sacrifices and we pray for the repose of their souls. We mourn with the families of these soldiers; we share their grief, commiserate with them and commiserate with the Nigerian military”, Zulum was quoted in the statement.
Gusau however noted that Governor Zulum is seriously disturbed by the incident, especially given the fact that the insurgents have ceaselessly operated along Maiduguri-Damaturu road, impacting on the safety of travelers and residents.
“Governor Zulum is assuring the people of Borno that the setback in Mainok will not deter the state government from its continued collaborative efforts towards ending the insurgency. The Governor calls on the military, other armed forces and volunteers at battle fronts to remain resolute while urging all stakeholders at the highest levels, to continually approach equipping and supporting front line troops with the fear of God, bearing in mind that everyone will one day account for his or her doing or misdoing”, the statement adds.
Isa Gusau
Spokesperson to the Governor
