The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that five soldiers were killed, ten wounded, and four declared missing during a surprise attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists targeting troops engaged in stabilization operations in Gubio Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, in a statement, however, said the troops eliminated several terrorists and recovered weapons, adding that a reinforcement team, supported by an air component, was dispatched to pursue the attackers.
The statement said: “The attack resulted in the destruction of equipment, including one gun truck, three TCVs, and an excavator.”
A military source said the insurgents launched multiple assaults in an attempt to overrun a special military force stationed in the Kareto community of Gubio LGA.
The source said: “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 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.
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.
Professor Usman Tar, Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, in a statement described the incident as a painful reminder of the cruelty of Boko Haram terrorists.
The statement read: “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.”
Professor Tar reaffirmed government solidarity with the armed forces and its commitment to supporting efforts to end insurgency in the region.
The latest incidents are part of a resurgence of violence in the Lake Chad region, where insurgents have launched frequent assaults despite successful operations by the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) recently.
Recall that last month, 40 soldiers were killed during an attack on a military base, prompting Chadian President Mahamat Déby Itno to initiate an operation that neutralized many terrorists and forced their remnants to retreat into Niger Republic.
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