The Nigerian army has released an official statement after Boko Haram terrorists ambushed a United Nations convoy killing some people.
Nigerian soldiers in Borno state (File photo)
PRESS RELEASE
NO UN STAFF KILLED IN MAULA ENCOUNTER WITH INSURGENTS
Contrary to the information currently making the rounds in a section of the media that four United Nations staff had been killed and four trucks conveying food for internally displaced persons were carted away, the Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole wishes to state that the report grossly misrepresents the true situation of the incident as none of the casualties in the encounter has been identified as a staff of the UN.
In setting the record straight, it is necessary to state here that a patrol escorting a convoy of civilian vehicles to Logomani encountered an ambush staged by elements of Boko Haram insurgents at Maula village along Dikwa-Ngala trans sahara highway which resulted in a firefight between troops and the insurgents.The troops however fought through the ambush, overpowered the insurgents and killed six of them.
The troops also captured 3 AK 47 rifles, 3 locally fabricated fire arms, 4 magazines and a belt of 7.62 mm ammunition. Sadly four persons died in the encounter. Although none of the persons killed in the ambush has so far been identified as a staff of the UN, this Headquarters considers the lives of all citizens and indeed all humans sacrosanct, which must be protected by troops even at a supreme price.
The situation has been brought under control and and further exploitation of the general area is currently being carried out by Mobile strike Team of Operation Lafiya Dole.
Please disseminate this information through your various news media to the general public.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Col O Nwachukwu
Deputy Director Public Relations
Theatre Command
Operation Lafiya Dole