At least four soldiers have been confirmed dead, while five others sustained injuries after Boko Haram terrorists launched a coordinated attack on a military post in Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Friday.
The attack, which occurred around 2:30 a.m., was repelled by troops of Operation Hadin Kai following a swift counter-assault reinforced by elements from the 29 Task Force Brigade.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Uba Sani, said the terrorists suffered heavy losses during the exchange of fire.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on the ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade,” the statement read.
According to Sani, the insurgents employed Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in an attempt to overrun the military post.
“Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists. Unfortunately, our own troops recorded four killed in action and five wounded,” he added.
Some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks (GTs) were also damaged in the encounter.
Lt. Col. Sani disclosed that the terrorists planted multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR) to prevent reinforcements and further ambush troops, prompting a temporary closure of the road.
“Engineers swiftly responded to clear three IED-laden spots, after which the MSR was reopened to both military and civilian movement,” he stated.
He further revealed that troops had been resupplied with critical logistics, including ammunition and MRAP tyres, to sustain ongoing operations in the area.
Sani also confirmed intelligence reports indicating that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with about 15 bodies reportedly buried by the group around Bula Wura, near Wasaram.
Meanwhile, motorists reported heavy traffic gridlock along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway during the military’s post-attack assessment.
A supervisor with Borno Express, a commercial transport company, Muktar Yahaya, said several of the company’s buses were stranded due to security checks and roadblocks.
“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, vehicles were parked by the roadside unable to continue their journeys,” Yahaya said.
Lt. Col. Sani assured that normalcy has since been restored, adding that sustained counterterrorism operations are ongoing to ensure peace and security in the region.
