The Nigerian Army has confirmed that three soldiers were killed in a Boko Haram ambush on October 18.

The soldiers were part of a convoy escorting the Commanding Officer of 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army when they were ambushed by the insurgents along Damboa-Maiduguri Road at about noon.

Onyema Nwachukwu, spokesperson of the counter-insurgency operation (Operation Lafiya Dole), said the lead vehicle of the convoy stepped on a landmine before the attackers opened fire.

“Yes, I can confirm that an ambush was sprung against a convoy of one of our Commanding Officers when the leading vehicle stepped on an improvised Explosive Device (IED) buried along the road at Teteri village while enroute Maiduguri,” Nwachukwu said.

“The escort troops fought bravely through the ambush, successfully defending the Commanding Officer and other civilians who were caught in the ambush.

“Unfortunately though, three of the escorts paid the supreme price with their lives and two vehicles were taken.

“Our Mobile Strike Team immediately mobilised to reinforce the troops and trailed the insurgents, recovering a gun truck, a Hilux and two motorcycles.

“Two AK 47 rifles abandoned as the insurgents fled in disarray were also recovered by troops.”

Nwachukwu, however, added that the military has intensified ground and aerial operations against the insurgents.

“May I also inform you that just recently troops conducting the Operation Deep Punch 2, in an artillery bombardment destroyed 10 Boko Haram vehicles concealed under thick foliage near Garin Manoma,” he said.

“Several insurgents were equally killed in that bombardment. Recall also that 15 insurgents were killed by our troops when the insurgents attempted an assault at Yamteke, near Gwoza.

“An armoured fighting vehicle, one Gun truck and two cars laden with improvised explosive device were recovered in that encounter. Be assured that our troops are relentless and not resting on their oars despite these successes.

“You must however also bear in mind that we are fighting terrorism and insurgency founded on perverted ideological indoctrination hence the remnants of the terrorists group strive to remain undaunted by carrying out isolated opportunistic rampages as they flee.

“This is apparently a far cry from those dark days. Our troops remain resolute and undeterred in ensuring that Boko Haram is finally brought to its knees.”