ISWAP Attacks Military Bases In Borno, Yobe, Burns Trucks Of Goods, Steals Ammunition

Suspected Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists attacked military bases in Mafa and Dikwa local government areas in Borno State, and Katarko and Gujiba in Yobe State, respectively, on Wednesday night.

Sources said the terrorists went on a rampage in the Mafa attack, destroying food supplies, vehicles, and other property, and attacked the military facility after hours of intense fighting.

The source added that the terrorists looted arms, ammunition, and newly procured motorcycles intended for security surveillance operations in the State.

LEADERSHIP gathered from locals in Mafa that the terrorists in their numbers invaded the military base around 11 pm on Wednesday, burning structures in the base, and carted away ammunition, as well as a good number of motorcycles used by the troops of the base for patrol.

In Dikwa military base, the terrorists also attacked some buildings and burnt an army truck on the premises.

Some soldiers who were moving in a military convoy were killed when their gun truck rammed into an IED planted by the terrorists along the Mafa-Dikwa road.

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has visited the Mafa and Dikwa military bases to obtain first-hand information on the attacks.

He equally inspected truckloads of goods set ablaze by the terrorists along the Mafa-Dikwa road during the Wednesday night attack in Mafa and interacted with the residents.

Meanwhile, a statement issued to Journalists on Thursday in Maiduguri by the media information officer, Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai,  Lt. Col Sani Uba, said between midnight and 0400 hours, the terrorists launched coordinated assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko, situated in Sector 1(Borno State) and Sector 2 (Yobe State) respectively.

He said in all instances, troops stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled the attacks, dealing the terrorists a heavy, decisive and bloody blow.

Lt. Col Uba added that the coordinated offensive response was supported by air platforms of the Air Component Command of OPHK, saying that the precision strikes, coupled with enhanced battlefield awareness provided by Theatre Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, gave troops additional leverage and impetus to respond with overwhelming and lethal force.

“The combined ground and air efforts resulted in the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all the locations. Troops also recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, 7 PKT machine guns, 5 RPG tubes, 2 GPMGs and hand grenades along with thousands of assorted belts and loose rounds of different calibres. Additionally, over 70 of the wounded miscreants are still being pursued by ground troops supported by the Air Component in close coordination.

“Intelligence further revealed the terrorists who attacked Dikwa and Gajibo manoeuvred from the Cameroon axis, while those that attacked Katarko emerged from the Timbuktu Triangle, a known terrorist enclave.

“Some of the gallant troops were wounded in action but are in stable condition. Some vehicles and buildings were also gutted by fire from the terrorists’ armed drones and RPG fire during the battle, especially in Mafa and Dikwa, where a part of the defences were momentarily breached.

“The Military High Command has commended the gallantry, doggedness and renewed charge of the troops. Their steadfast performance reaffirms the military’s unwavering resolve and capacity to defend the nation’s territorial integrity against all threats, especially with the introduction of more boots and critical combat enablers into the Theatre,” he said.