Four soldiers were killed while five sustained injuries when Boko Haram terrorists attacked a military post in Ngamudu along the Damaturu-Maiduguri in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State on Friday.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred around 2:30 am.
Confirming the attack in a statement, the spokesperson of operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Uba Sani, said the terrorists also recorded a significant number of casualties
The statement reads, “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 terrorists employed Rocket Propelled Grenades, armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices, targeting troops and their own platforms.”
He said despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists.
“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, however, noted that the terrorists attempted to prevent reinforcements and inflict further casualties by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR).
“This necessitated a temporary closure of the MSR, as engineers swiftly responded to clear 3 IED-laden spots.”
“Following successful clearance, the MSR has now been reopened to both military and civilian movement,” he added.
Sani stated that in response to the attack, troops were immediately resupplied with critical logistics, including MRAP tyres and ammunition to sustain 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,” he said.
He assured that normalcy would be restored as sustained operations are ongoing to maintain peace and security in the area.
Meanwhile, motorists confirmed that there was gridlock in the highway during the post-attack military assessment of the area.
A Supervisor with Borno Express, a commercial transport company, Muktar Yahaya, said the company’s drivers were stuck on the road because of the heavy traffic.
“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.
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