At least 67 terrorists died during a fierce battle for the control of Ashaka, the host community of Ashaka Cement Plant in Gombe state last Thursday.
Their colleagues managed to retrieve three truckloads full of their members before their final retreat from the town, which they stormed earlier on that day after suffering heavy defeat in the hands of Nigerian troops.
The terrorists who had come in large numbers with heavy equipment and convoy of over 30 vehicles including a number of motor cycles, were on a mission to take control of Ashaka town, after they had operated in Bajoga and environment in the state.
According to a tweet on Defence Headquarters handle noted that troops who got wind of their intention to over run other towns pursued the terrorists while some also laid ambush for them.
The defeated terrorists arrived in a large convoy of 30 Vehicles, Motorcycles and Equipment were on a mission to take control of #ASHAKA /4
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) December 5, 2014
Troops aware of their intention to take #ASHAKA after their Operation in Bajoga & Environs in Gombe state pursued and some laid ambush /5
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) December 5, 2014
The terrorists were forced to abandon the mission when the troops proved unyielding.
Most of the vehicles and equipment used by the terrorists for their mission, were destroyed before they chose to flee the location.
Unfortunately, more than 10 soldiers, paid the supreme sacrifice during the battle while others who were wounded are being treated in military hospitals
Meanwhile patrolling troops on Saturday had an encounter with a group of terrorists in the Kwanta Yobe area.
Apart from a number of terrorists that died in the encounter, some equipment and weapons including rapid propelling guns (RPGs) tubes, machine guns and rounds of different calibres of ammunition were also captured from the terrorists.
No casualty was recorded on the part of the troops.
