The Nigerian Army has laid to rest several soldiers who lost their lives during recent terrorist attacks on military formations in Borno State.
The assaults occurred late Thursday and early Friday when insurgents launched coordinated attacks on military bases in Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok.
According to reports, the terrorists approached the bases in separate groups from different directions before engaging the troops in battle.
While the military confirmed that a number of insurgents were killed during the confrontations and that soldiers also suffered casualties, it did not disclose the exact number of troops who died.
However, sources indicated that more than 40 soldiers were killed in the attacks. Among the casualties was Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, the Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion in Konduga. Several other soldiers were also reported missing following the assaults.
Some of the fallen soldiers were buried on Friday at the Maimalari Military Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri.
In a statement, the army spokesperson in the region, Sani Uba, confirmed that the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, Abdulsalam Abubakar, attended the burial ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Mr Abubakar, a major general, described the moment as a painful reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers in the line of duty.
He said the deceased troops demonstrated courage, dedication and loyalty while defending the country.
According to him, their deaths represent a great loss not only to their families but also to the Nigerian Army and the nation as a whole.
He added that the soldiers fought gallantly to safeguard the country and assured that their sacrifices would always be remembered.
Mr Abubakar also reassured the families of the fallen troops that their entitlements would be paid and that the military would continue to provide support to them.
The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who was represented at the ceremony by the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Security Trust Fund, Mustapha Yabe, was also present.
He sympathised with the military and the bereaved families, describing the loss of the soldiers as a painful one for the country.
He further pledged that the state government would sustain its support for the military and the families of the deceased personnel.
In recent weeks, Borno State has experienced a resurgence of attacks by insurgents, including incidents of kidnapping for ransom.
The latest assaults followed an earlier attack in Ngoshe, located in Gwoza Local Government Area, where several soldiers and civilians were killed while many others were abducted.
The Nigerian Army later reported that more than 50 insurgents were killed after that attack.
Meanwhile, an unidentified group has claimed responsibility for the recent wave of attacks and warned that it intends to launch more assaults on communities.
The group also threatened to enslave some of the abducted victims and take control of affected communities.
Also on Saturday, the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, a lieutenant general, arrived in Maiduguri alongside other senior military officers for an operational visit amid rising security concerns in the region.
