Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked 119 Battalion, Nigerian Army location at Malam Fatori in northern Borno, killing one officer and four soldiers.
The incident, according to Army Spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, in a statement issued on Saturday, happened on Friday.
Col. Usman said the troops fought gallantly, repelled the attack and killed 14 Boko Haram terrorists.
The Army Spokesman identified the officer killed in action as Lt.-Col. Muhammad Abu Ali, the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.
Col. Usman also said in the statement that four other soldiers sustained various degrees of injury during the encounter.
“It will be recalled that because of the late senior officer’s exceptional bravery and gallantry, he was given an accelerated promotion from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel and was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at Gamboru Ngala on Sept. 9, 2015, during an operational visit,’’ Col. Usman said in his statement.
Col. Usman, also disclosed that the troops recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), seven AK-47 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition, while he said mopping up and exploitation are ongoing.