Mainok Attack: Army Loses Commanding Officer, Six Soldiers

By: Okosun Dennis

Nigerian Army on Sunday lost the Commanding Officer, 156 Task Force Battalion, Mainok during a firece attack by terrorists and ISWAP while other soldiers were also killed it was learnt.

However, in statement by the Director, Army Public Relations,
Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima disclosed that they lost an officer, whose identity was not disclosed, six soldiers while five other soldiers were seriously injured when they came under terrorists/ISWAP attacks on Sunday, 25 April 2021 in Maiduguri.

It was gathered that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Mainok, Borno State, came under multi-directional attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists who mounted on unconfirmed number of Gun Trucks as well as foot soldiers with possible intent of establishing a phantom caliphate in the town.

Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima further explained that terrorists were held by the gallant troops of 156 Task Force Battalion until the arrival of reinforcement teams from 7 Division, Special Army Super Camp Ngamdu and Army Super Camp 4, Benesheik.

“During the fire fight which lasted several hours, the gallant troops tactically lured a number of the terrorists into a killing zone within their camp where the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole scrambled Alpha jets and helicopter gunboats which took turns in decimating the already trapped terrorists.

“In the aftermath of the encounter, scores of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized with their body part littering the area and a number of their gun trucks destroyed.

“Regrettably, one gallant Officer and six soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while 5 other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries. The wounded soldiers have already been evacuated to the military medical facility for treatment.

“Currently, troops are in full control of Mainok and environs as exploitation for fleeing terrorists is ongoing.

As a result of this development, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru has applauded troops of Operation Lafiya Dole for their resilience, commitment and doggedness and further reassured Nigerians of the Army’s unalloyed commitment to defeating Boko Haram/SWAP terrorists.

He urged the citizens to always avail the troops with accurate and timely information for prompt action, Lt Gen Attahiru noted.