Several insurgents Killed As Nigerian troops repel attack on Gombi

Several Boko Haram insurgents have lost their lives in a shootout with Nigerian troops near Gombi town when the former launched attack in their renewed effort to recapture towns and villages in Gombi local government.

Residents said a heavy gunfight which lasted several hours ensued when the insurgents tried to overrun Gombi and surrounding villages, sending residents running for the nearby bushes to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Gombi, located about 110km from Yola, the state capital, was one of the towns captured by the insurgents before they were routed by Nigerian troops. Since then the town has witnessed a flurry of attacks by the insurgents.

Although the casualty figure from the attack could not be independently confirmed by the time of filing this report, sources in the town said several insurgents died and a number of their operating vehicles confiscated by troops.

“Several attackers have been killed in the gun duel while two of their vans were burnt while three other vehicles were confiscated by the Nigerian troops.

“The men came in from Goloso, Garkida villages, through Biu road at about 6:30pm in a motorcade and vehicles. They engaged soldiers in a gun battle,” a resident, Bello Abubakar, said. ‘’There was apprehension and pandemonium in the town; people scampered for fear of uncertainty.’’

Reports from the area indicated that soldiers repelled the attackers when the invaders failed to match their sustained firepower.

‘’They were repelled and many were killed, though many fled with gunshot wounds. Their vehicles were burnt, including a Hilux fully loaded with ammunition and guns. As I am talking to you, they have been repelled,” a resident said.

Though the military was yet to release a statement on the attack by the time of this report; however, media aide to the state governor, Mr Phineas P. Elisha, confirmed the attack and said normalcy had been restored.

He urged inhabitants to go about their normal businesses.

Nigerian troops slaughter fleeing terrorists, recover 3 anti-aircraft guns

Some insurgents fleeing from the onslaught of Nigerian troops yesterday met their day of doom in their attempt to enter Gombi town of Adamawa State.

According to a statement by the army spokesman, Col Sani Kukasheka Usman, and made available to LEADERSHIP, the troops also recovered sophisticated weapons and vehicles.

He said: “The terrorists were engaged by troops of 23 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in a gun battle that led to the killing of quite a number of them, destruction and recovery of vehicles, motorcycles, various calibre of weapons and ammunition.

“These include Hilux vehicles, three anti-aircraft guns and one .50 inch Browning Machine Gun. Others include 5,000 rounds of 12.7 millimetre ammunition, two boxes of .50 inch ammunition, 1,000 rounds of Light Machine Gun ammunition and one rocket propelled grenade 7 tube, as well as one General Purpose Machine Gun,” Usman said.

The spokesman also disclosed that one soldier was wounded in the encounter and but was responding to treatment while the troops were mopping up the area to prevent further incursions by the terrorists.

Several insurgents Killed As Nigerian troops repel attack on Gombi