The Nigerian Army has said troops on operation Lafiya Dole in the north east, killed 16 Boko Haram militants during a gun battle after militants attack on Troops location at Rann, Borno State.
A statement on Saturday by Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said: "Yesterday evening remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in their numbers attacked our troops location at Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State."
He said the terrorists came with Motorcycles Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (MCBIED), Anti-Aircraft Guns and other weapons at about 5.00pm and the exchange of fire lasted for some hours before they were overwhelmed by the troops firepower.
Usman said: "Unfortunately, one of the terrorists’ suicide bomber detonated himself at a gun truck killing the driver and the gunner. The truck and the mounted weapon were also damaged beyond repairs. In addition 2 soldiers were wounded in action while 3 others sustained minor injuries."
He added that: "The troops killed 7 of the attackers instantly while quite a number escaped with gun shot wounds. During clearance operations this morning, the troops discovered 9 more Boko Haram terrorists dead bodies in the surrounding areas. Therefore the total number of terrorists killed was 16."
Usman said the troops also recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, Rocket Propelled Grenade, ammunitions and captured two militants alive.
He added that the bodies of the two fallen heroes and the wounded in action soldiers have been evacuated to Maiduguri, while reinforcement was sent from Gomboru Ngala.
He also said troops have also discovered and safely detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along Gomboru-Rann road. It is believed that the IEDs were planted yesterday to prevent troops reinforcement to Rann while the attack lasted.
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