By Ayo Kehinde
At least twenty soldiers have been killed, and several vehicles set ablaze following a terrorist attack on a Nigerian military camp in Kareto town, located in the Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack took place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, when terrorists stormed the camp, armed with various weapons, including a car bomb.
Although the military has not yet issued an official statement, a security source familiar with the incident confirmed that the terrorists overran the camp, setting fire to it along with 14 vehicles.
The source further disclosed that around 20 soldiers lost their lives during the assault, while the attackers seized four four-wheel drive vehicles and a significant cache of weapons, including heavy machine guns.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has since extended his condolences to the military over the loss of the soldiers.
In a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, the governor strongly condemned the attack and reiterated the unwavering support of both the government and the people of Borno.
Tar said, “Following the attack on Kareto town in Mobbar LGA on 16 November 2024, the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has condemned in the strongest terms this atrocious attack and reaffirmed the loyalty, commitment, and support of the people and Government of Borno State.”
Zulum also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and the armed forces.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Borno, I extend our deepest condolences to the armed forces and the families of the victims. May Allah rest their souls and grant fortitude to the affected families,” the statement added.
The governor pointed out that the attack serves as a stark reminder of the Boko Haram insurgents’ callousness and their ongoing efforts to undo the progress made in the resettlement of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes in northern Borno.
While lamenting the attack, Zulum emphasized that such acts of terror would not deter his administration’s efforts to fulfill its constitutional obligations to the people.
He thanked the armed forces and security agencies for their resilience in the face of such adversity.
He said, “We are eternally grateful to our gallant military and security forces for their unwavering dedication to safeguarding lives and property in our state. The Kareto attack is a painful reminder of the enemy’s desperation to derail our modest achievements and create fear in our communities.”
The governor also urged the people of Borno to remain steadfast and support the military in their ongoing efforts to confront the shared threats facing the region.
