The Nigerian Army has officially confirmed the attack on a military base in Borno State, reporting that five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives. The army stated that the assault was successfully repelled by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint task force operating in the North-east region.
Details of the Attack
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that insurgents, believed to be fighters of Boko Haram or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), attacked a military base near the Mandara axis, killing eight soldiers and injuring several others. In a statement released on Friday, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Haruna Sani, disclosed that the attack targeted the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandara-Girau under the 25 Brigade, Sector 2 of the task force.
Mr. Sani said the attack occurred at approximately 3 a.m. He explained that the insurgents launched the assault during heavy rainfall and poor visibility, apparently attempting to exploit the adverse weather conditions to breach the base's defenses. However, the army spokesperson noted that troops mounted a "fierce counter-offensive" that thwarted the attack and prevented the terrorists from gaining access to the facility.
Military Response and Casualties
"Determined troops responded with a fierce counter-offensive, decisively frustrating further incursions and inflicting casualties on the attackers," he stated. "Regrettably, in the course of the battle, five gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the intense firefight and close-quarter engagement while some equipment were also affected by the firefight." He added that three members of the CJTF also fell alongside the troops.
Mr. Sani confirmed that the wounded have been airlifted by the air component command of the task force and "are currently in stable condition while receiving appropriate medicare." He praised the fallen, saying, "Their sacrifice embodies the highest traditions of service, courage, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation."
Control and Ongoing Operations
Despite the casualties, the military emphasized that troops retained control of the base and have continued operations in the area. "Troops remain firmly in control of the FOB and continue to dominate the general area, while exploitation operations are ongoing for consolidation," Mr. Sani stated.
The military spokesperson described the attack as another indication of the "growing desperation" of terrorist groups operating in the North-east, noting that insurgents have suffered significant losses from ongoing military operations. He added that additional troops and critical combat assets have been deployed across the theatre to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and protect communities in the region.
