How Boko Haram killed army commander, four soldiers in Borno

Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali

The dreaded Boko Haram insurgents, on Friday night, reportedly killed a commander in the Nigerian Army and four other soldiers during a shoot-out in Borno State.

The soldiers also killed 14 members of Boko Haram during the clash.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Saturday, that the battle occurred when the insurgents attacked the 119 Battalion’s location at Mallam Fatori, Borno State.

He said that the Commanding Officer of the 272 Task Force Tank Battalion, Lt. Col. Muhamma Abu, and four soldiers were killed while repelling Boko Haram’s attack.

He said that four other soldiers were injured during the attack.

He said, “Yesterday at about 10.00pm suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a 119 Battalion Nigerian Army location at Mallam Fatori, northern Borno State. The troops fought gallantly and repelled the attack, killing 14 Boko Haram terrorists.

“Unfortunately, we lost an officer and four soldiers, while four other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter. One of those killed in action, was Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali, the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.

“It will be recalled that because of the late senior officer’s exceptional bravery and gallantry, he was given an accelerated promotion from the rank of major to lieutenant colonel and was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, at Gamboru Ngala, on September 9, 2015 during an operational visit.”

Usman said that the troops had recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, seven AK-47 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition from the insurgents, while continuing with a mopping up operation in the area.