From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed a deadly attack on a military base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, in which six soldiers lost their lives.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the DHQ disclosed that the assault was carried out by terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province on Monday.
The terrorists reportedly sought to retaliate for the recent killing of their commander and other combatants by Nigerian troops.
Buba explained that the troops on a fighting patrol, returning to the base, foiled the surprise attack as it commenced. Their swift response disrupted the terrorists’ plans.
The DHQ noted that a reinforcement team, comprising personnel from the Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilantes, and hybrid forces, arrived promptly to support the embattled troops.
Although the reinforcement team encountered an Improvised Explosive Device that injured the Vigilante Commander, they successfully overwhelmed the attackers.
The air component of Operation HADIN KAI further complemented the ground effort with targeted airstrikes, neutralizing fleeing terrorists and aiding in the recovery of weapons.
According to Major General Buba, the Battle Damage Assessment revealed significant losses for the terrorists.
“On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed, and 23 AK-47 rifles were recovered. Troops also retrieved over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition,” he said.
Sadly, six soldiers paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. The Director stated that the identities of the fallen soldiers would be withheld until their families were formally notified, urging the media to respect this process.
The attack underscores the persistent threat posed by ISWAP in the region, despite ongoing military operations aimed at degrading their capacity.
The timely intervention of the reinforcement team and the decisive actions of the air component signal the military’s continued commitment to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
Major General Buba commended the bravery of the troops involved, reaffirming the military’s resolve to sustain operations against terrorist elements in Borno and beyond.
