Four soldiers have been confirmed dead and five others injured after Boko Haram terrorists launched an attack on a military post in Ngamdu, along the Damaturu – Maiduguri highway in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The assault, which took place in the early hours of Friday, was repelled by troops of Operation Hadin Kai following an intense gun battle that lasted several hours.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Friday evening, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Uba Sani, said the insurgents suffered significant losses during the encounter.
The statement read, “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.”
He noted that despite the scale and sophistication of the assault, the troops stood firm and successfully defended their position.
“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,” the statement added.
Lt. Col. Sani explained that the terrorists attempted to disrupt reinforcements and inflict more 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.
He further disclosed that troops were promptly resupplied with essential logistics, including MRAP tyres and ammunition, to sustain operations and restore full mobility.
According to intelligence reports, the insurgents also suffered heavy losses, with about 15 bodies reportedly buried around Bula Wura, near Wasaram.
Lt. Col. Sani commended the gallantry of the troops and assured residents that normalcy had been restored to the area.
Meanwhile, motorists experienced heavy traffic gridlock on the highway as soldiers conducted post-attack assessments and clearance operations.
A transport supervisor confirmed that several of their buses were stranded during the security sweep.
He said, “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.”
Boko Haram has recently intensified assaults on military formations across Borno State. The insurgency, which began in 2009, has displaced more than two million people and caused tens of thousands of deaths in northeastern Nigeria.
Comments