The
General Officer Commanding the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen.
Victor Ezugwu, has escaped an assassination attempt in an ambush by the
members of the Boko Haram at the Bama axis of Borno.
The
Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement on
Tuesday that the Acting GOC was on his way to visit troops in Bama when he ran
into the Boko Haram members by 8.30am on Tuesday.
Usman
said that while the GOC escaped unhurt, a soldier was killed and two others
were injured in the attack.
He
added that the troops were able to repel the attack, killing some of the
terrorists and recovering some items from them.
According
to him, the troops recovered ‘a Toyota Hilux vehicle, two AK-47 rifles and
several ammunition’ from the insurgents.
He
said the Acting GOC had continued his operational visit to Bama while the body
of the deceased soldier and the injured two were evacuated to Maiduguri for
medical attention.
He
added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, had spoken to the
Acting GOC.
He
said, “The leading elements of the Acting General Officer Commanding, 7
Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu’s leading convoy
was about 8.30am this ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists enroute to
visit troops in Bama.
“Although
one soldier loss his life and two others were injured, they were able to clear
the ambush, killing some of the terrorists and recovered vehicle and
weapons from them. The recovered items include a Toyota Hilux vehicle, two
AK-47 rifles and several ammunition.
“The
Acting GOC has continued his operational visit to Bama, while the body of the
late soldier and the wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri. The Chief of
Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has also spoken with the
GOC.”
Usman
restated the determination of the Army to ensure that the remnants of the Boko
Haram were cleared from the area.
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Politics