Another Nigerian Lieutenant Colonel ‘dead’ In Boko Haram Ambush
BEVERLY HILLS, November 15, (THEWILL) – A senior Nigerian soldier, B.U. Umar, a lieutenant colonel and commanding officer of 114 TF battalion of the Nigerian Army, has been reportedly killed by the Boko Haram insurgents.
According to reports, Umar was ambushed by 9. 30 am Tuesday alongside his troops on Tuesday morning between Bita and Piridang.
Sources revealed that the mine resistant vehicle that had conveyed the officer and his men was said to have detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) when it drove over it.
Umar, who was heading towards Southern Borno, actually survived the explosion, but alighted from the vehicle to inspect the damage, only to come under heavy fire from Boko Haram terrorists who lay in ambush.
“His vehicle stepped on an improvised explosive device, but he was not hurt. He however got down to assess the damage on the vehicle and Boko Haram opened fire and killed him in the process.
“The unfortunate incident happened between Bita and Piridang in Borno State but it is not certain that they all died, as the CO and eight soldiers were fatally wounded.
“It's safe to say that he and his men came under heavy Boko Haram fire that must have increased the number of casualties.”
Eight other soldiers were injured and evacuated to Michika, Adamawa State, for treatment.
The soldiers were said to be on their way to Yola in Adamawa State from Bita in Borno State when the incident occurred, sources said.
The full casualty from the attack is not yet clear.
Umar recently took over the command of the 114 battalion about three weeks ago and was a member of the 48 Regular Course in the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA.
When contacted, the Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, said he was unaware of Umar's death. He said he would seek further confirmation from appropriate authorities.
The killing of Umar occurs about a week after another Lieutenant Colonel, Muhammed Abu-Ali, and his troops were killed in another ambush by Boko Haram. Fourteen Boko Haram insurgents and four other soldiers died in that attack, the army said. http://thewillnigeria.com/news/sad-boko-haram-kills-efficient-army-commander-four-soldiers-in-night-attack/
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) recently carried out an attack on a Boko Haram location on the outskirts of Malkonori in Northern Borno.
NAF spokesman, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said the latest attack was a follow up to the close air support operation that repelled the insurgents who had attacked ground forces at Kangarwa.
“Survivors among the insurgents had fled to Dogochuku where they were also attacked by NAF fighter aircraft and forced to relocate to Malkonori,” Famuyiwa stated.
Story by Oputah David