1st LD Writethru: Nigerian army chief unhurt in Boko Haram attack: official

Nigeria's army chief Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai was unhurt Saturday after suspected Boko Haram members attacked his convoy in the country's northeastern state of Borno, a spokesman said Sunday.

The leading column of the army chief's motorcade was ambushed by the terrorists at Faljari village, located between Mafa and Dikwa districts of the northern Borno State, but the Boko Haram members encountered an overwhelming fire power from the troops, acting spokesman for the Nigerian army, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said.

The army chief was on his way to visit troops deployed to rout out Boko Haram in that region when the incident occurred.

"Ten of the terrorists were killed," the army spokesman said, adding five others were captured by the gallant troops.

However, a soldier was killed during the gun fight while an army officer and four soldiers sustained gunshot injuries from the attack, he said.

According to the official, the arrested terrorists have been sent for interrogation while the remains of the gallant soldier and the wounded soldiers were evacuated back to Maiduguri, capital of the restive Borno State and known headquarters of Boko Haram.

Nigerian troops on Friday entered and cleared more terrorists camps in Borno State as offensive operations against Boko Haram continued in the region, the army had said in an earlier statement.

Quite a number of terrorists were killed during the operation in which weapons and equipment were also destroyed as troops combed Gudumbali town located in Kukawa district of the province.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari more than a week ago ordered his newly-appointed army chiefs to end the six-year Boko Haram insurgency within three months.

The insurgency is said to have left more than 13,000 dead in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country. Endit