General Officer Commanding escapes assassination in Boko Haram’s ambush in Nigeria

                            Acting Director, Army Relation Officer, Col Sani Usman Reporting

The General Officer Commanding the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Victor Ezugwu, has escaped  an assassination attempt in an ambush by the members of the Boko Haram at the Bama axis of Borno.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Tuesday that the Acting GOC was on his way to visit troops in Bama when he ran into the Boko Haram members by 8.30am on Tuesday.

  Col. Usman said that while the GOC escaped unhurt, a soldier was killed and two others were injured in the attack.

He added that the troops were able to repel the attack, killing some of the terrorists  and recovering some items from them.

According to him, the troops recovered ‘a Toyota Hilux vehicle, two AK-47 rifles and several ammunition’ from the insurgents.

He said the Acting GOC had continued his operational visit to Bama while the body of the deceased soldier and the injured two were evacuated to Maiduguri for medical attention.

He added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, had spoken to the Acting GOC.

He said, “The leading elements of the Acting General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu’s leading convoy  was about 8.30am this ambushed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists enroute to visit troops in Bama.

“Although one soldier loss his life and two others were injured, they were able to clear the ambush, killing some of the terrorists and recovered  vehicle and weapons from them. The recovered items include a Toyota Hilux vehicle, two AK-47 rifles and several ammunition.

“The Acting GOC has continued his operational visit to Bama, while the body of the late soldier and the wounded have been evacuated to Maiduguri. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has also spoken with the GOC.”

Usman restated the determination of the Army to ensure that the remnants of the Boko Haram were cleared from the area.