Libyan mercenaries are believed to have joined forces with insurgents of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Northeast in their buds to recover lost grounds.
The insurgents were said to have laid ambush in Askira,Borno State, on Satruday, during which a brigadier general and three of his soldiers paid the supreme price.
The attack came 24 hours after military airstrikes took out several top commanders of ISWAP while they were allegedly holding a strategic meeting with their new leader, Sani Shuwaram, at Sabon Tumbun and Jibularam, in Marte Local Government Area of the state.
The Army named the general as Dzarma Zirkusu,who until his death, was the commander, 28 Task Force in Chibok.
The three soldiers killed with him were not named.
They were on their way to Asira-Uba from Chibok when they ran into an ambush laid by ISWAP. A top source said intelligence report indicated that some Libya-based mercenaries were among the ISWAP fighters in the North – East corridor.
The source said the soldiers were killed in an ambush by ISWAP insurgents who were suspected to be on a vengeance mission.
“Our military jets had neutralized many leaders and ISWAP insurgents on Friday and they attempted to fight back by attacking towns and villages, especially Askira Uba town which they tried to seize,” said the source.
“Following a distress call to 28 Task Force in Chibok, the commander, a Brigadier-General mobilized his troops for a reinforcement shuttle to Askira Uba.
“It was while on their way that the Army General and the troops were ambushed. But intelligence indicated that the General and the soldiers resisted move to abduct them. It was learnt that in annoyance, the ISWAP insurgents killed them.
“Ordinarily, an army General ought not to lead any reinforcement, but the heroic Commander decided to lead by example.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “ISWAP has been striking in the North – East corridor because some Libya-based mercenaries dominate their ranks.
“I can assure you that Nigerian troops are up to the task. With Boko Haram decimated and Abubakar Shekau smoked out, the end of this war against insurgents is near. We will now face ISWAP squarely.”
The source said the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been evacuated to Maiduguri.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu,confirmed the death of the army officer and his men yesterday.
