Military Reveals Identity Of Army General Killed In Askira Uba Attack
An army general and three other soldiers ran into an ambush while moving to reinforce colleagues under attack in Askira town in the southern part of Borno state.
The Nigerian army has confirmed that a Brigadier General, Dzarma Zirkusu, was killed during an attack earlier today by ISWAP terrorists on Askira, a town in the southern part of Borno state, Northeast Nigeria.
Spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu made this public in a statement shared with HumAngle.
HumAngle had earlier reported that a top military officer and some soldiers were killed after running into an ambush while deploying from Chibok for reinforcement operation in Askira town.
General Nwachukwu, who is the director of army public relations said the attack on Askira was effectively mitigated by troops of the Joint Task Force, Northeast Operation, HADIN KAI, whom he said had “neutralised several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.”
General Nwachukwu said, “the fierce encounter” was still raging at the time he released the statement.
He said the troops who were supported by the Air Component of OPHK have deployed five A-Jet, two A-29, two Dragon combat with which they destroyed nine gun trucks and one APC.
“Sadly, a gallant senior officer Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice in a very rare display of gallantry as they reinforced a counteroffensive against the terrorists, and successfully defended the location.”
General Nwachukwu said the family of the senior officers and soldiers have been contacted.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya deeply commiserates with the families and relations of the fallen heroes.”
The army chief has also directed that “the troops continue in the ferocious counteroffensive and hot pursuit to eliminate the remnant of the fleeing terrorists.”
Askira-Uba is one of the local government areas of Borno that share woodland borders with Sambisa forest, one of the main stories of Boko Haram.
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