The Defence Headquarters, on Wednesday, gave the details of last Saturday attack by terrorists on the Forward Operating Base in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The our source reported on Monday that terrorists launched an attack on the military base, killing at least six newly recruited soldiers.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed the attack, stating it was a reprisal by the Islamic State of West Africa Province and Boko Haram terrorists.
According to Buba, the attack was a retaliation for the recent killing of their commanders and other combatants by Nigerian forces.
Buba explained that the insurgents, riding motorcycles and gun trucks, however, met stiff resistance when a patrol team returning to base foiled their planned ambush.
He said while six soldiers were killed in the attack, the insurgents suffered heavier casualty, as 34 of them were killed.
Buba said:“On January 4, 2025, an unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding motorcycles and gun trucks engaged troops deployed in Sabon Gari village of Damboa Local Government Area in a firefight. The terrorists had attempted to surprise the troops and retaliate for the recent killing of their commander and combatants.
“The terrorists were taken by surprise when troops returning from patrol foiled their planned attack. Additionally, a reinforcement team comprising elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilantes, and hybrid forces arrived at the scene in time to overpower the terrorists.
“Although the reinforcement team encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that injured the Vigilante Commander, they arrived in time to decimate the fleeing terrorists.”
Buba added that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdictions on the fleeing insurgents. A battle damage assessment confirmed the elimination of 34 terrorists and the recovery of 23 AK-47 rifles, over 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and other weapons.
He said:“Furthermore, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdictions on the fleeing terrorists. The Battle Damage Assessment revealed several killed terrorists and recovered weapons.
“In total, 34 terrorists were killed, and 23 AK-47 rifles were recovered, along with over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Sadly, six personnel were killed in action.”
Buba stated that the names of the deceased troops were being withheld to allow for the notification of their next of kin. He urged the media to cooperate with the military in respecting this process.
“Kindly note that the names of the personnel killed in action are being withheld to allow for the administrative procedures of notifying their next of kin to be concluded. Accordingly, the media is requested to respect this process,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation, stating that troops remain resolute in their mission to defeat the terrorists.
By Solomon Odeniyi @ThePUNCH
