Boko Haram fighters have killed one soldier and four other persons in an attack on Askira town in the southern part of Borno State.
It was gathered that the attack occurred during the weekend and by the time the insurgents were repelled by a fighter jet, a master warrant officer, one vigilante and three other residents of the town had been killed, PUNCH reports.
A source from the army base in Askira was quoted saying, “They came into town in about 15 gun trucks and attack our arms store. But it was empty as they had earlier stolen our arms and ammunition. They killed one master warrant officer.
“Soldiers ran for cover because the terrorists outnumbered us, but a fighter jet came and attacked the insurgents. Three of them were killed and four of their gun trucks were destroyed. Many of the attackers were injured, but they destroyed one army gun truck.”
Army spokesman Brig-Gen Sagir Musa had yet to respond to the newspaper’s requests for comments.
But a statement by the spokesperson for Operation Lafiya Dole Col. Ado Isa confirmed the attack at Askira, but added that the insurgents also suffered heavy losses from the troops of 28 Task Force Brigade.
