Boko Haram fighters have attacked Dapchi town in Yobe State in no fewer than five vehicles, prompting the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole to deploy military jets which killed scores of the terrorists.
The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, made this known on Tuesday, saying that the military scrambled two helicopter gunships to bomb two of the terrorist vehicles.
The DHQ’s Defence Media Operations said in a statement that the Boko Haram fighters also went to Gajigana community in the Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, where they attempted to overrun a military base, but were attacked by jets.
The DMO Coordinator, Maj Gen John Enenche, said, “The Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, on Monday neutralised an unconfirmed number of Boko Haram terrorists and destroyed two of their gun trucks on the outskirts of Dapchi town.
“The air operation was conducted following reports that the Boko Haram and the Islamic State West African Province terrorists, in about five vehicles, had launched an attack on the town. A helicopter gunship was scrambled to engage the terrorists and scored direct hits on their vehicles, killing the occupants.
“Meanwhile, troops of 212 Battalion, Sector 1, repelled another Boko Haram and ISWAP attack on Gajigana in Borno State. The unit earlier received intelligence report on the Boko Haram’s advancement to attack troops’ location at Gajigana from Goni Usmanti village.
“In response to the terrorists’ attack on ground troops, the ATF scrambled its attack aircraft and helicopter gunships to provide Close Air Support and engaged the terrorists.”