The Defence Headquarters has confirmed an unexpected attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on troops conducting stabilization operations in Gubio Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, confirmed in a statement that five soldiers were killed, ten injured, and four reported missing during the attack.
He noted that the troops successfully neutralized several terrorists and recovered weapons.
“The attack resulted in the destruction of equipment, including a gun truck, three TCVs, and an excavator,” the statement added.
A reinforcement team, supported by air assets, was deployed to pursue the attackers.
A military source informed Daily Trust that the insurgents launched multiple assaults in an attempt to overrun a special military force stationed in Kareto, Gubio LGA.
“The first assault occurred on August 16 at 6:00 am, leading to the deaths of 18 soldiers and injuries to several others, while six insurgents were neutralized.
“Yesterday, five additional soldiers were killed in another attack. However, over 30 terrorists were eliminated in subsequent engagements today, with no further casualties among our troops,” the source revealed.
The special forces, recently deployed to Kareto, were preparing the area for the return of displaced residents by constructing defensive trenches when the insurgents struck.
These incidents are part of a renewed wave of violence in the Lake Chad region, where insurgents have intensified attacks despite recent successes by the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
Last month, 40 soldiers were killed during an assault on a military base, prompting Chadian President Mahamat Déby Itno to launch an operation that neutralized many terrorists and pushed the survivors into Niger Republic.
Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has extended condolences to the military for the loss of soldiers in the Kareto attack.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, the government described the incident as a grim reminder of Boko Haram’s brutality.
“On behalf of the government and people of Borno, we express our heartfelt condolences to the armed forces and the families of the fallen heroes. May Allah grant them eternal rest and fortitude to their loved ones,” the statement read.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the military’s efforts to eradicate insurgency in the region.
