A Nigerian Army Brigadier-General escaped death by the whiskers after going missing for several hours following a deadly ambush by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters near Sabon Gari in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
It was gathered that the Army General who was presumed to have been captured by the ISWAP terrorists’ fighters following his temporary disappearance from the scene of the ambush and exchange of bullets, surprisingly returned to his base on foot.
This was as it was further gathered that the terrorists, who had laid in wait along the convoy route, opened fire on a joint convoy of troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) which left two soldiers and two CJTF operatives dead.
According to HumAngle, a member of the CJTF based in Nzula, near the scene of the attack, the convoy was heading toward Bongry when it was ambushed.
A security source who spoke on condition of anonymity said; “It was on the Biu Road. The convoy consisted of the military and members of the CJTF”.
Similarly, a resident of Damboa, who is familiar with the convoy’s movements, noted that it left the town around 2pm, comprising two Hilux vehicles, two armoured personnel carriers, and several motorcycles.
However, the terrorists killed two soldiers and two CJTF and also took away some motorcycles, adding that reinforcement later left Damboa with two Hilux and two armoured vehicles – when the incident happened.”
Significantly, was the temporary disappearance of a Brigade Commander who was part of the operation.
A senior member of the CJTF in Damboa, who witnessed the convoy’s departure, while confirming the development said; “We don’t know where he is at the moment. But he responds to WhatsApp messages”.
It was gathered that the top military Commander later returned to base on foot after being missing for several hours, in what is being described as a narrow escape from the attackers.
The development marked the first time since the launch of Nigeria’s counter insurgency campaign that a serving General who was directly involved on the frontline went missing during an ambush.
