Troops thwart fresh Boko Haram attack on Dikwa IDP camp

Troops thwart fresh Boko Haram attack on Dikwa IDP camp
By Abdulkareem Haruna, Abuja

Weeks after Boko Haram terrorists had launched a massive attack on Dikwa camp for internally displaced persons using child suicide bombers, the insurgents had nearly carried out a second attack on the same facility , but for the quick  intervention of soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

Spokesman of Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said Dikwa camp in Borno state located about 85km out side the state capital  would have recorded heavy casualties had the soldiers not moved in on time to repellent the attacking insurgents.

He said a Nigerian soldier and an operative of the Civilian-JTF were while three soldiers and four IDPs got injured, during the bloody gunbattle that left 26 Boko Haram insurgents killed.

Colonel Usman said the attacking insurgents attempted to take on Dikwa camp as a way of getting at the inmates.

"Following dislodgement of Boko Haram terrorists camps in the border towns of Kumshe and Talala by joint operations of Nigerian and Cameroonian forces, the terrorists made a futile attempt on Dikwa early today. 

"From all indications, the terrorists aimed at causing havoc at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp located at Dikwa. However and unknown to the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists, the Armed Forces Special Forces in blocking positions decisively dealt with the terrorists; killing many, recovered vehicle, arms and ammunitions. 

"Unfortunately, we lost  a soldier and a member of the local vigilante (Civilian JTF) during the encounter, while 3 soldiers and 4 Internally Displaced Persons sustained injuries. A military vehicle was damaged by a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) suicide bomber. 

"The troops recovered 26 bodies of the Boko Haram terrorists, while others escaped with gun shot wounds, destroyed  3 VIED, 1 MBIED and 2 Gun trucks.  The gallant troops recovered 1 Gun truck mounted with an Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 Dushka Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 Browning Anti-Aircraft Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Tube. Others include 1 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 4 AK 47 Rifles, 3 RPG Bombs, 36 Hand Grenades, 1 Smoke Grenade and 8 AK-47 rifles magazines. The troops also recovered 236 rounds of 12.7mm ammunitions, 396 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions and 101 rounds of 762mm (Special), ammunitions. 

"The casualties have seen been evacuated while the troops have been pursuing those terrorists that  escaped with gunshot wounds. 
It is encouraging to note that despite loss of colleague and the vigilante, the troops have maintain dominating presence in the general area and  poised to continue to clear the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists"