9 soldiers killed by Boko Haram in Nasarawa

Not less than nine soldiers have reportedly been killed by Boko Haram insurgents during a rescue operation in a forest along Mararaba-Udege road in Nasarawa state linking Otukpo Oweto in Benue state.

The Nation reported that the slain soldiers who were led to the forest by an officer Felix Kura, an indigene of Benue state, were Iliya Kefas, Bati Yakubu and other young officers whose names cannot be identified immediately.

It was learnt that the soldiers from 177 Guards Battalion, Shitu Barracks in Keffi, Nasarawa state were on a mission to dislodge the Boko Haram terrorists from the forest who kidnapped many indigenes of the state and held them in captive.

They killed five Boko Haram terrorists before they were overpowered by the terrorists whose weapons were more sophisticated.

A source in the barracks said;

“As soon as they ran into the ambush and they realised they were being overpowered, Kura was said to have told his colleagues including his cover to escape.

“The authorities of the 117 Guards Battalion have informed the families of the slain soldiers of their fate and signal has been sent to the headquarters.

“We actually lost nine soldiers in that mission and not seven, it is quite unfortunate but that is the supreme price of a military officer.

“We are currently collaborating with Four Special Forces Command of the Nigerian military headquarters in Doma LGA of the state to reinforce and launch a reprisal, we are not given up, we must overrun them and make sure we dislodge them completely.”