A senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers have lost their lives during an encounter with terrorists and members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, in Askura Uba Local Government Area of Bornu State.
According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu on Saturday, troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai neutralized several of the terrorists.
The statement partly reads, “In the fierce encounter which is still raging as at the time of filling this report, troops supported by the Air Component of OPHK have deployed five A – Jet, two A-29, two Dragon combat with which they destroyed nine Gun Trucks and One APC.
Sadly, a gallant senior officer Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice in a very rare display of gallantry as they reinforced a counteroffensive against the terrorists, and successfully defended the location. The family of the senior officer and soldiers have been contacted.
The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya deeply commiserates with the families and relations of the fallen heroes. He has also directed that the troops continue in the ferocious counteroffensive and hot pursuit to eliminate the remnant of the fleeing terrorists.”
