The Nigerian Army yesterday said its troops eliminated scores of terrorists that recently attacked the Sokoto military base.
In an issued statement yesterday, the Director, Defence Information, said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, in conjunction with other security agencies, successfully repelled an attack by suspected Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists and bandits on the Forward Operation Base, (FOB), at Burkusuma, in Sabon-Birni local government area of Sokoto State.
According to him, the failed attack, which took place at about 5:30 am, in the remote border settlement with Niger Republic was swiftly repelled by troops, adding that the aggressive operations of troops of the FOB as witnessed in recent months in the North-West region has been a thorn in the flesh of ISWAP and bandits.
He said the attackers came in large numbers using telecom network provided from neighbouring country, capitalised on the lean rear area protection force when the main troops were out conducting offensive operations within their area of responsibility.
He, however, the swift reinforcement by troops helped to counter the attack as many of the ISWAP fighters were eliminated while some scrambled with various degrees of injuries, resulting in their pursuit to Bassira, in Niger Republic.
The statement further said that there was some level of casualty recorded on the part of its own troops during the encounter.
The statement added that the Nigerian and the Republic of Niger security forces, in a collaborative operation, are currently trailing the remaining ISWAP fighters, adding that the general security within the FOB and its environs has been stabilised.
