At least four soldiers lost their lives and five others sustained injuries during an early morning attack by Boko Haram terrorists on a military post in Ngamdu, located along the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack which occurred around 2:30am on Friday was confirmed by the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Uba Sani.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Uba Sani, he revealed that the troops successfully repelled the attack despite the intensity of the assault. He added that the insurgents suffered heavy casualties during the clash.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade,” the statement read.
According to Sani, the insurgents launched the attack using rocket-propelled grenades, armed drones, and command-initiated improvised explosive devices (IEDs), all targeted at troops and military equipment.
“The terrorists employed Rocket Propelled Grenades, armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices, targeting troops and their own platforms,” he said.
Despite the sophistication of the assault, the troops reportedly maintained their positions and responded with superior firepower, inflicting “significant losses” on the attackers.
“Unfortunately, our own troops recorded 4 x Killed in Action (KIA) and 5 x Wounded in Action (WIA). Additionally, some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks (GTs) sustained varying degrees of damage during the encounter,” he stated.
Lt Col Sani further disclosed that the terrorists attempted to hinder reinforcements by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR), which led to a temporary closure of the road.
“This necessitated a temporary closure of the MSR, as engineers swiftly responded to clear 3 IED-laden spots.”
He confirmed that the MSR has since been reopened to both military and civilian traffic following successful clearance operations.
In response to the attack, the military deployed additional supplies including MRAP tyres and ammunition to bolster ongoing operations and restore full mobility.
“Credible intelligence confirms heavy terrorist casualties, with reports indicating mass burials of about 15 bodies conveyed in pushcarts by the terrorists for burial around Bula Wura, near Wasaram,” Sani said.
He assured the public that military operations were ongoing to restore normalcy and ensure lasting peace in the area.
Meanwhile, motorists reported heavy traffic congestion along the highway during the military’s post-attack assessment. A supervisor with Borno Express, a commercial transport company, Muktar Yahaya, said several of the company’s vehicles were stranded due to military checks.
“Boko Haram launched an attack in Ngamdu. Many of our buses were on hold because of military checks in the area.
“As of this morning (Friday), vehicles were parked by the roadsides unable to venture and continue their respective journeys,” he told Saturday PUNCH.
