At least eight Nigerian Army personnel were killed in a blitz attack early Tuesday by operatives of jihadist terrorist sect Boko Haram, in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, Peoples Gazette has learnt.

An internal army correspondence seen by the Gazette Tuesday evening, disclosed that troops of ASC21/153 task force battalion in Marte were overpowered by insurgents during the incursion which occurred an hour after midnight.

“Troops could not withstand superior firepower of the terrorists and were overwhelmed,” the army communication said. “The unit was dislodged,” it stated, noting that the dislodged soldiers had moved to Dikwa in eastern Borno.

A soldier and seven officers were killed in action. 

Military sources told the Gazette that the recent attack was the third onslaught on the embattled army unit by the emboldened terrorists in less than a month.

Previous invasions were said to have occurred on January 10 and 15 this year.

The army memo urged other military units involved in counterinsurgency operations in Borno to maintain high vigilance against surprise attacks.

“This recent one suggests that troops in Sector 3 AoR be on red alert especially Baga, Cross Kauwa, Kekeno and Monguno,” it said.

The Nigerian government had recently rejigged its military top brass, amidst clamour by Nigerians for fresh hands to man the decade-long war against terrorism.

Boko Haram has, nonetheless, remained resolute in its vicious engagement of the military, shattering hopes that the scourge of insurgency, which has claimed the lives of thousands and displaced millions would be reined in anytime soon.