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Adelani Adepegba, Abuja
The Nigerian Army has said troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have again successfully repelled an attack on Dikwa town by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists.
It explained that the terrorists’ groups that stormed the town in gun trucks and motorcycles met with heavy and overwhelming fire by troops of 81 Task Force Battalion,112 Task Force Battalion Ajiri, and elements of 402 Special Forces Brigade with “maximum air support” by the Air Task Force Operation Lafiya Dole.
The NA spokesman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement on Tuesday, titled, ‘Troops repel attempted infiltration of Dikwa town by Boko Haram terrorists,’ also said the insurgents suffered heavy casualties with their gun trucks and other equipment destroyed.
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Dogara Bitrus
Marte town has been overrun by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect and Islamic State West Africa Province.
The incident happened at about 5.30pm on Friday and the armed men were still holding the town as of Saturday, forcing security agents and civilians to flee.
The town is located on the fringes of Lake Chad Basin, an area occupied by the insurgents.
According to a military source, 90 per cent of the over 300 households that returned to the town in December 2020 have been displaced by the attack.
“90 per cent of the IDPs who returned in December have fled the town as a result of the recent attack. They have fled to nearby Dikwa and Maiduguri. As we speak, the insurgents are holding the place,” the military source said.