There is heightened tension in Borno State following a series of coordinated attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on four military bases between Monday and Tuesday.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the insurgents launched separate assaults on military formations in Marte, Dikwa, Rann, and Gajiram, killing at least a dozen soldiers and carting away military vehicles and equipment.
In the first attack, suspected ISWAP fighters stormed the 153 Task Force Battalion base in Marte Local Government Area in the early hours of Monday.
Sources told our correspondent that the attackers infiltrated the town from multiple directions, overwhelming the troops and forcing a retreat to Dikwa. At least seven soldiers were reportedly killed, while several others remain missing.
Conflicting reports emerged about the status of military vehicles at the base, with some sources claiming that three gun trucks were taken by the insurgents, while others said the vehicles were set ablaze along with the base.
Hours later, the insurgents struck again—this time in Dikwa, the headquarters of Dikwa LGA.
The attack, which began around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, was repelled by troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Air Force and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
Simultaneously, the insurgents attacked the 3 Battalion base in Rann, Kala Balge LGA, where at least five soldiers were confirmed dead and six others injured.
YERWA EXPRESS NEWS reported that three gun trucks were seized during the raid.
In a fourth attack, insurgents stormed Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai LGA, shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
However, troops reportedly repelled the assault after a brief gun battle. The attackers were said to have fled after setting fire to a structure in the town.
Reacting to the spate of violence, Governor Babagana Zulum condemned the attacks and expressed deep sympathy for the affected families.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Dauda Illiya, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the military and volunteer forces.
“These acts of terror are deeply condemnable. The recent tragic loss of our education staff, gallant troops, and innocent civilians is a painful reminder of the challenges we continue to face,” Zulum said.
He urged residents to remain resilient and prayerful, assuring them that the state would overcome the renewed wave of insurgency.
Source : Premium TIMES
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