No fewer than 39 fighters of ISWAP have been killed in a fierce battle with the Nigerian military and its Niger Republic counterpart in Damasak, Borno State.
It was learnt that the military chopper on Monday morning evacuated wounded soldiers from Damasak to Maiduguri.
Sources hinted that two soldiers were killed on Sunday night in Damasak during the battle.
Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, in northeast Nigeria, is about 160km from Maiduguri, the state capital.
The region which was in control of Boko Haram and other terrorists is now in the firm hands of the Nigerian troops.
Residents of Damasak said they had suffered several attacks severally by the terrorists, adding that some of the attacks had led to heavy casualties on the side of the militants.
“Yesterday’s fight was devastating, and this was the second time the Nigerian military had to withdraw from a battle for Damasak but were also quick to reclaiming their position.” A source said.
“We got a report that there’s a threat over the inhabitants of Damasak town as armed men suspected to be Boko Haram sects are regrouping between Songia settlement and Geidam Chuku village under the Niger Republic with the intention of attacking Damasak town. But we believe in the military formations at this end which is vigorous and proactive,” he added.
He said when the insurgents attacked, the military made a tactical withdrawal which is an act in warfare to give the enemy the feeling of weakness in order to take them by surprise.
“This is what happened and the end result is the neutralisation of any of them,” he added.