JUST IN: Four Soldiers killed as gunmen invade Military base

JUST IN: Four Soldiers killed as gunmen invade Military base

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that four soldiers were killed during a recent insurgent attack on its Military Super Camp in Ngamdu, situated along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway.

In an official statement released by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI, the military reported that its troops successfully repelled the coordinated assault, despite coming under heavy fire.

Contrary to earlier reports that claimed eight fatalities, the Army clarified that four personnel lost their lives in the confrontation.

The statement revealed that insurgents launched the attack using rocket-propelled grenades and armed drones in an effort to overrun the camp.

However, the Army credited its troops’ superior firepower and swift response for repelling the attackers and preventing further casualties.

The statement read, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade.

“The terrorists employed Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices, targeting troops and own platforms. Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists.

“Unfortunately, own troops recorded 4 x Killed in Action (KIA) and 5 x Wounded in Action (WIA). Additionally, some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks (GTs) sustained varying degrees of damage during the encounter.

“The terrorists attempted to prevent reinforcements and inflict further casualties by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR). This necessitated a temporary closure of the MSR, as engineers swiftly responded to clear 3 IED-laden spots. Following successful clearance, the MSR has now been reopened to both military and civilian movement.

“In response to the attack, troops were immediately resupplied with critical logistics, including MRAP tyres and ammunition, to sustain operations and restore full mobility.

“Credible intelligence confirms heavy terrorist casualties, with reports indicating mass burials of about 15 bodies conveyed in pushcarts by the terrorists for burial around Bula Wura, near Wasaram.

“As part of continued efforts to dominate the area, 29 Task Force Brigade has launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations aimed at denying the terrorists freedom of action and consolidating operational gains.

“The gallantry and resilience of the troops have been commended and the public assured that normalcy would be sustained with operations ongoing to maintain peace and security in the area.”

Meanwhile, travellers along the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway faced major disruptions on Thursday after the Nigerian Army sealed off the road for over seven hours in response to an insurgent attack on the Military Super Camp in Ngamdu.

The sudden closure left hundreds of commuters stranded at both ends of the busy highway, unable to continue their journeys. Many long-distance travelers heading toward cities such as Bauchi, Jos, Abuja, and Kano were forced to turn back after realizing the delay would significantly affect their travel plans.

For those who chose to wait, the standoff lasted until around 1:00 p.m., when the military reopened the route. However, movement remained slow due to tightened security checks that led to heavy traffic congestion at multiple checkpoints.

Mustapha Yaya, a postgraduate student at the University of Maiduguri who was en route from Damaturu, expressed frustration over the delay, saying he missed a scheduled 2:00 p.m. lecture because of the extended closure.

“It’s almost 1 p.m. now, and we are still stuck at Benishik, about 80 kilometers from Maiduguri. I doubt we’ll get moving in the next hour because the road is still blocked. I’ve already missed my lectures today,” he said.

A commercial driver identified as Abdullahi, who was traveling from Kano to Abuja, said he was forced to abandon his trip after all his passengers opted to cancel their journeys due to safety concerns.

Investigations revealed that the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway had remained largely free from insurgent activity for over three years prior to this latest attack, marking a significant setback in the region’s recent record of relative calm.

The renewed violence has stirred anxiety among commuters, with many travelers voicing fears about the return of insecurity along the critical route.

Several of them have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent measures to strengthen security and prevent further disruptions.

“This is the only safe road we have to Maiduguri. We’ve enjoyed relative peace for years, but this attack has made us anxious again. We’re calling on President Tinubu to secure this highway for travelers,” said Abubakar, one of the passengers.