Special forces of the Nigerian military have recaptured a key military base and killed hundreds of fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), in Baga, within the Lake Chad region of Borno state, close to the Chadian border.
The army in a statement by its Spokesman, Sani Usman, a Brigadier General, sent late Thursday said the feat was a joint exercise with the airforce and navy.
“The newly formed Nigerian Army Special Forces Command (NASFC), Operation LAFIYA DOLE, have given the terrorists that attacked troops location in Baga a bloody nose. The triumphant troops, particularly the highly revered 707 Special Forces Brigade which is the vanguard of the great exploit, dealt the decisive blow that neutralised several terrorists along that axis despite prior warning to them by some unpatriotic elements”, Usman stated.
The Special Forces commenced clearance operations in late December, where they cleared major terrorist-dominated areas in Borno state like Zare, Gudumbali, Kukawa and Cross Kauwa without resistance by the fleeing ISWAP fighters.
“The troops who are in high spirits had since linked up with other forces in Baga where they cleared the Naval Base and the surrounding areas.
“Unfortunately, in the process, the Special Forces lost one officer and a soldier, while 5 other soldiers sustained injuries. The remains of the two fallen heroes and the wounded have since been evacuated. The injured soldiers are in stable condition and receiving medical attention. The troops are now busy consolidating and clearing vestiges of the terrorists within the northern Borno State axis with special emphasis on the Lake Chad region.” the army statement added.