The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters killed 20 soldiers partaking in Operation Lafiya Dole in the north-east.
Army spokesman Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Yerima in a statement issued on Thursday said the information was false.
He said the report was aimed at discouraging the public and demoralising troops in the overall fight against insurgency.
Yerima said the recent attacks on troops providing security for road construction workers along Goniri–Kafa on February 5 and on Geidam on February 9 were decisively dealt with.
The spokesperson disclosed that soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while two others who sustained injuries were currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility.
“We shall continue to remain focus and determined to perform our constitutional roles and responsibilities professionally in the protection of the sovereignty of our nation, ensure the safety of lives and property, while we clear the terrorists and their cohorts within the region,” he said.