Boko Haram Ambush: Death toll reportedly rises to over 30

Death toll from the deadly ambush by Boko Haram in Borno state on Wednesday, July 26, may have risen to 33.

The attack came following the implementation of a 40-day “clearance” operation declared by the Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai, in which he said he wanted Boko Haram leader dead or alive.

Not less than 12 soldiers in a new report were killed while at least four out of 12 staff of the University of Maiduguri equally lost their lives.

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations, in statement said that as soon as they received information about the ambush, the Brigade mobilized and sent reinforcement, search and rescue party that included the Armed Forces Special Forces and guides that worked and pursued the terrorists throughout the night.

He said: “So far, they have rescued all the NNPC staff and recovered the corpses of the Officer, eight soldiers and a civilian have who have been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.”

Another military source, who requested anonymity, confirmed the arrival of the eight bodies in Maiduguri on Wednesday, with four more arriving at Maimalanri Cantonment on Thursday at about 6pm.

A top leader of the “civilian JTF” who participated in the evacuation disclosed that 11 members of their own group, including the chairman of the Magumeri Civilian –JTF branch, was killed.

Local vigilantes also said that six of their members who were with the team of oil explorers and troops from Magumeri were also snatched in the ambush. In another development, a source at the University of Maiduguri said the younger brother of the Vice-Chancellor of the institution was among the victims.

A member of staff who works in the mortuary at University of Maiduguri Teaching has also confirmed that four corpses were brought into the facility early on Thursday morning, identified to have been on the staff of UNIMAID.

Source: Naij.com