Local Editor

The convoy of the Chief of Army Staff [CoAS], Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, was ambushed Saturday by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Faljari village between Mafa and Dikwa, during the Army Chief's visit to Borno State.

The attack, which left one soldier and 10 terrorists dead, occurred while Buratai was on a morale-boosting visit to the troops in the insurgent-threatened areas of Mafa, Dikwa and Logomani.

The Director of Army Public Relations [DAPR], Col. Sani Usman, confirmed the failed terrorist ambush in a statement.

The statement, however, did not specifically used the word convoy, it said "leading column." He said: "The terrorists encountered an overwhelming fire power from the troops in which 10 of them were killed", while five others were captured.

Usman also quoted the CoAS as commending the troops at 112 Task Force Battalion location in Mafa and enjoined them to continue to be hardworking and dedicated.
"During the encounter, sadly, we lost a soldier, while an officer and four soldiers sustained gunshot wounds", he said.

Furthermore, the DAPR disclosed that the arrested terrorists were being interrogated, while the remains of the ‘gallant soldier' and the wounded soldiers were evacuated back to Maiduguri.

He also gave assurance that the wounded soldiers were stable and responding to treatment at 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services.

It also emerged that Boko Haram militants are strengthening ties with "ISIL" group as reports had shown that Nigerian militants are fighting in Libya, while recent arrests in Lebanon and India.

Boko Haram had pledged allegiance to "ISIL" in March and in June was declared its West African province.

Reports indicated that an estimated 80 to 200 Boko Haram militants were in the Libyan city of Sirte as Algerian security forces believed Boko Haram insurgents had joined other militants in northern Niger.

Further evidence of Boko Haram's links with "ISIL" was the arrest on August 15 by Lebanese authorities of extremist Ahmad al-Assir at Beirut airport. He was said to have planned to fly to Nigeria on a forged Palestinian passport with a valid Nigerian visa.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team