Nigerian military on Thursday said attempt by terrorists to attack two communities, Ajiri and Mafa, in the outskirts of Maiduguri, Borno state capital has been foiled.
The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, said the insurgents planned to attack the villages and Dikwa in Borno State towards the Cameroon borders on Wednesday, but foiled by the security forces.
He stated that “The ambush mounted by the terrorists to enable them unleash terror on the communities unchallenged, was also cleared by troops on reinforcement mission.
“Arms captured from the terrorists include various brands of machine guns and improvised explosive devices.
“Twenty insurgents died in the encounter, while own troops sustained varying degree of injuries.
“Also, more camps were destroyed yesterday in encounters at various forests and mountain locations around Adamawa and Borno States”.
Meanwhile, military authorities have cautioned some highly placed Nigerians against making inflammatory statements capable of dampening the morale of the security agencies.
Olukolade, however assured that despite the provocative statements coming from unusual quarters, the security agencies would continue to intensify efforts aimed at containing insurgency.
He said, “The Defence Headquarters has noted with grave concern the inflammatory pronouncements by some highly placed persons in government and some apparently sponsored commentators in and outside the country who have consistently given false and misleading remarks to describe the disposition of troops in the ongoing operations.
“It has become clear that this sustained campaign is intended to demoralize the troops and give impression that the military is overwhelmed by the terrorist group.
“This tendency is unfortunate to say the least. For the avoidance of any doubt, it is hereby restated that the Nigerian military cannot by any standard be overwhelmed by the insurgents neither will the devious antics of their sympathisers and sponsors demoralize the fighting spirit of troops.
“Nigerians and indeed all well-wishers are enjoined to discountenance the propaganda messages of the terrorists and their backers alleging the inability of Nigerians troops to handle the insurgency”.
