The Nigerian Army has reported that it lost a Brigadier-General, Dzarma Zirkusu, and three others in a battle that claimed the lives of many terrorists.
In a statement, Onyema Nwachukwu, a Brigadier-General, the Director Army Public Relations said: “Troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI have neutralized several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during a recent encounter in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
“In the fierce encounter which is still raging as at the time of filling this report, troops supported by the Air Component of OPHK have deployed five A – Jet, two A-29, two Dragon combat with which they destroyed nine Gun Trucks and One APC.
“Sadly, a gallant senior officer Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice in a very rare diplay of gallantry as they provided reinforcement in a counter offensive against the terrorists, and successfully defended the location.
“The family of the senior officer and soldiers have been contacted.
“The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya deeply commiserates with the families and relations of the fallen heroes. He has also directed that the troops continue in the ferrocious counter offensive and hot pursuit to eliminate the remnant of the fleeing terrorists.”
Meanwhile, PRNigeia is reporting that hours after top Commanders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed by military airstrikes, fighters of the sect have launched attacks in Askira Uba, Mulai, Ngamdu and Buniyadi in the North-East.
PRNigeria had reported that scores of the ISWAP commanders were eliminated and others injured on Friday by sustained aerial bombardments from the military jets, when they were holding a meeting with their new leader, Sani Shuwaram, at Sabon Tumbun and Jibularam, in Marte Local Government Area in Borno State.
In what seems like a reprisal, the insurgents, on several gun trucks stormed some communities to avenge the loss of their top commanders.
An intelligence officer told PRNigeria that the terrorists were ‘misbehaving after their heavy losses.’
The source said: “The ISWAP terrorists, who invaded the Askira Uba town destroyed telecommunication masts with guns and other firearms in their possession, forcing residents to flee.
“A military commander was killed in an ambush while leading troops on reinforcement operation. Some soldiers were also killed.
“Another group of terrorists attacked Mulai village, close to Maiduguri and rustled some cattle while another gang of fighters attacked a communication mast and health centre in Buni Yadi, Yobe State and carted away generator set and drugs.
“Meanwhile, at Ngamdu, in Kaga Local Government of Borno, ISWAP terrorists suffered a devastating blow in the hands of the troops, unfortunately, three Special Force operatives paid the Supreme sacrifice during the encounter.”
