Boko Haram insurgents have killed four soldiers and injured five others in an attack on a military base at Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri Road, in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
However, the attack, which occurred around 2:30am on Friday, was repelled by troops of Operation Hadin Kai after a fierce gun battle with the terrorists
Spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Uba Sani, who confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement on Friday evening, said the terrorists also suffered heavy casualties during the deadly encounter.
The statement said, “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 (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices, targeting troops and own platforms.”
According to the statement, notwithstanding the attack’s intensity the troops held their ground.
It however added that, “Unfortunately, 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”.
Further disclosing that the terrorists attempted to prevent reinforcements and inflict further casualties by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR), Col Sani said, “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 said in response to the attack, troops were immediately resupplied with critical logistics, including MRAP tyres and ammunition, to sustain operations and restore full mobility.
Operation Hadin Kai Spokesperson said credible intelligence indicated that the terrorists suffered heavy losses, with reports of about 15 bodies buried around Bula Wura, near Wasaram.
He praised the troops for their gallantry while assuring the public that normalcy had been restored in the area.
Meanwhile, reports by some commercial drivers said the military had to block the Ngamdu road until around 11:20am as a result of the attack.
One of the motorists, who narrated his experience to some reporters, said, “I left Damaturu very early with the hope of arriving Maiduguri around 9am for an engagement but on reaching Ngamdu, the road was closed.
“Some security personnel told us to be patient that there was problem on the road. But residents said the Boko Haram attacked the soldiers and killed some of them”.
Also a traveller, who preferred anonymity due to his safety, said sources in the town hinted that the terrorists took the soldier unaware, adding, “The attack lasted for hours before the insurgents retreated, but some soldiers were killed and wounded in the process.”
A security source told our reporter, “Well, the terrorists attempted an ambush but our gallant soldiers have repelled them, and we gave them a good fight.”
Confirming that there was a gridlock on the highway during a post-attack assessment by the military, a supervisor with Borno Express, a transport company, Muktar Yahaya, said several of their buses were stranded due to the military operation.
“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 volunteered.
