By John Ikani
Military troops in Borno State, north-east Nigeria have been urged not to allow their morale to be reduced, following the ambush and killing of dozens of military troops who were on their way to Maiduguri by suspected members of Boko Haram
The incident according to sources, took place on Friday between Marte- Dikwa council areas, when the insurgents fired Rocket Launchers at military trucks which culminated into sporadic shootings, killing troops who are being conveyed from Marte Local Government Area to Maiduguri.
Initially, locals told our correspondent that 16 soldiers lost their lives in the ambush, but it was later learnt that “about 30 soldiers were killed while others sustained gunshot injuries”.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume in a statement on Sunday, urged troops to continue in the fight against insurgency to end the menace in the country.
Part of the statement read, “The killing of the soldiers between Marte- Dikwa in Borno State is highly condemnable. It is sad and unfortunate. This should not discourage the troops and the Army from taking the war to the insurgents.
“We send our condolences to the family of those killed and pray that God grant them eternal rest especially as they died in the course of serving their fatherland.”
Ndume also called on the Federal Government not to relent in funding the military.
