9 soldiers, 16 others killed as insurgents ambush military convoy

At least, 25 people have been killed, including 9 soldiers, when suspected Boko Haram elements attacked a military convoy on Damboa/Maiduguri highway on Saturday, security and Civillian Joint TaskForce, CJTF, sources said.

Reports say the troops came under heavy ambush about 60 kilometers from Maiduguri in Konduga council area of the state and several CJTF members were wounded while three are still missing.

A security source said on condition of anonymity that more than a dozen Boko Haram insurgents were also killed by troops in the clash.

“Yes, there was an ambush along Domboa highway on Saturday, when soldiers were escorting motorists from Maiduguri to Damboa.

“Our troops fought through, although we lost some soldiers, but we neutralized more than a dozen of the terrorists,” he said.

A top commander of civilian CJTF confirmed the ambush on the military convoy, saying that 9 soldiers and 15 Boko Haram members were killed in the ambush.

“I can confirm to you that 25 people were killed, we lost Arramma (Malaminta) the Operation Commandant of Youth Volunteer (CJTF) Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State in the ambush.

“Nine soldiers and 13 Boko Haram terrorists killed. “Three of our members (CJTF) are still missing after a deadly attack on military escorting motorists from Maiduguri to Damboa on Saturday,” a top CJTF source said.

Efforts to get official reaction from officers of Operations Lafiya Dole was unsuccessful as their spokesperson did not pick his calls.

Signaturetv.org/Daily Trust