NIGERIA: Brigadier-General Killed In Terrorist Attack
Insurgents affiliated to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) engaged troops in a heavy fire battle at a military post in Borno State’s Askira/Uba Local Government Area earlier today killing a Brigadier-General & three soldiers.
On Saturday morning, November 13th, ISWAP fighters were spotted in a long convoy of roughly 16 gun trucks traveling along the Ngude axis towards Askira.
The battle occurred in Borno State’s Askira Uba Local Government Area, according to a statement signed by army spokesperson Brigadier-General Nwachukwu.
Despite the significant casualties, the military claimed that some ISWAP planes and gun vehicles were destroyed.
“Troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI have neutralized several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during a recent encounter in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State,” the statement claimed.
It also mentioned that the troops supported by the Air Component of OPHK destroyed five A-Jets, two A-29s, two Dragon fighting vehicles, and nine Gun Trucks in the ferocious battle.
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Unfortunately, a brave senior commander, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu, and three soldiers paid the ultimate price in a rare display of bravery. They provided reinforcement in a counteroffensive against the terrorists, successfully defending their positions.
The family of the senior officer and soldiers killed in the attack have been contacted.
However, ISWAP in question is a Boko Haram offshoot. They are a Salafi jihadist terrorist outfit and unrecognized proto-state that is part of the Islamic State (IS).
They are particularly active in the Chad Basin, where it fights a multi-pronged insurgency against Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
They are a branch of Boko Haram, with whom it maintains a violent feud. In 2021, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was killed in a combat with ISWAP.
Although there are limited relationships between ISWAP and IS-GS, it is the umbrella organization for all IS factions in West Africa, including the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (IS-GS).
Source: News Agencies
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
