400 Boko Haram insurgents killed in battle to retake Bazza, Michika, Madagali

By Kingsley Omonobi & Umar Yusuf
Heavy fighting between Nigerian troops and Boko
Haram terrorists ensued yesterday in Adamawa
State as soldiers backed from the air by Nigerian
Airforce attack helicopters launched an attack to
retake territories in the possession of Boko Haram.
In the ensuing battle that continued into the night,
Vanguard gathered that about 400 Boko Haram
terrorist had been killed while there were casualties
on the part of the Nigerian soldiers.
Military sources in Adamawa state told Vanguard
that the onslaught to retake the towns of Bazza,
Michika and Madagali was launched from the town
of Vimtim, the hometown of the Chief of Defence
Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and that the
General Officer Commanding 3 division of the Army,
Major General Mohammed Zaruwa was coordinating
the onslaught
Said the source, “I can assure you that we are
advancing successfully. We have dealt a heavy
blow on the terrorists. They didn’t expect what they
are seeing. Our armoured tanks are blasting and
they are running for their lives. The airforce is
providing air cover and hitting them also.
“I cannot give you a categorical answer regarding
casualties but so far about 400 of the terrorists
have been killed. We have casualties among our
soldiers also but the propaganda circulating that 70
of our men were killed is wishful thinking”.
“From reports on the ongoing battle, we may have
lost a few soldiers but it cannot be confirmed
because usually, they may have been injured and
are holed up somewhere for first aid treatment” the
source said.
Contacted on the development, Director of Defence
Information, Major General Chris Olukolade
confirmed the fighting but stated he cannot give
casualty figures or full details as operatives on
ground were yet to furnish him with the situation
report. He said he would give details when the
operation is concluded.
Online media reports had indicated that during the
fight at least 70 soldiers were killed in a fierce battle
between insurgents and Nigerian troops and pointed
out that the fighting was for control of the towns of
Bazza and Vimtim in Adamawa State, a claim
denied by the military source.
The source further debunked claims that Boko
Haram used helicopters to fight back noting that the
Nigerian airforce helicopters may have been
mistaken for that.
An eye witness told newsmen that the insurgents at
a point on Sunday might re-grouped at the Federal
Government College, (Technical) in Michika before
they were dislodged and chased away.
According to him, “the army came in on Sallah day
and since then fierce fighting has been on. But, as
you can see the insurgents are moving away and
the military are following them”.
“The insurgents who were in their thousands came
through Uba and attacked the Nigeria troops. “The
gallant Nigerians soldiers were attacked from the
rear by the militants but the military men engaged
them in fierce battle over five hours “.
It will be recalled that on the 7th of September, 2014
the Boko Haram insurgents overran Michika, Bazza,
Madagali and other border towns between
Adamawa and Borno State during which the son of
the former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo, a Lieutenant Colonel, Olugbenga
Obasanjo an Engineer in the Nigeria Army was shot
and wounded.
During the takeover of Madagali and Michika, the
insurgents also attempted to overran Vimtim, the
hometown of the Chief of Defence staff, Air Chief
Marshall Alex Badeh.