The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the death of five soldiers in a surprise attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists targeting troops in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, in a statement, also said ten soldiers were wounded, and four declared missing during the assault in which 30 terrorists were neutralised after the troops in stabilisation operations in Gubio engaged the attackers.
He added that the troops also recovered weapons from the terrorists.
“The attack resulted in the destruction of equipment, including one gun truck, three TCVs, and an excavator,” the statement said.
He said a reinforcement team, supported by an air component, was dispatched to pursue the attackers.
According to Daily Trust, a military source revealed that the insurgents launched multiple assaults in an attempt to overrun a special military force stationed in the Kareto community of Gubio.
“The first attack occurred on August 16 at 6:00hrs, where 18 soldiers were killed, and several were injured, with six insurgents neutralized.
“Yesterday, five more soldiers were killed in another attack, while over 30 terrorists were eliminated in subsequent engagements today without further casualties on our side,” the source said.
The special forces had recently arrived in Kareto and begun preparations, such as digging trenches, to facilitate the return of displaced villagers when the insurgents launched their attacks.
These incidents are part of a resurgence of violence in the Lake Chad region, where insurgents have launched frequent assaults despite recent successful operations by the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
Last month, 40 soldiers were killed during an attack on a military base, prompting Chadian President Mahamat Déby Itno to initiate an operation that neutralised many terrorists and forced their remnants to retreat into Niger Republic.
Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has expressed its condolences to the military following the loss of soldiers during the Boko Haram attack in Kareto, Gubio LGA.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, the government described the incident as a painful reminder of the cruelty of Boko Haram terrorists.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Borno, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the armed forces and families of the deceased over the demise of our fellow compatriots. May Allah rest their souls and grant fortitude to the affected families,” the statement read.
The government reaffirmed its solidarity with the armed forces and its commitment to supporting efforts to end insurgency in the region.
