A combination of Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists last weekend attacked the Nigeria army operating base in Damboa Local government area of Borno State.
The terror gang at 4.00am on Saturday January 4, 2025 according to sources stormed the base in trucks and motorbikes killing six soldiers and destroying buildings and vehicles in the attack, which lasted over two hours.
The army responded to the attack deploying fighter jets from the state capital Maiduguri, 100 kilometers away. A number of the attackers were eliminated as they retreated.
“We lost six soldiers in the ISWAP terrorists attack on the base after an intense gun battle,” said a military source told AFP.
“Air strikes against the fleeing terrorists resulted in multiple militant fatalities, the destruction of operational vehicles and their weaponry,” the officer said, without giving a toll of ISWAP casualties.
An eyewitness in the area, Umar Wakil described the attack as “coordinated,” while noting that they met the military men unprepared.
“The guys came with sophisticated weapons. They met the military men unprepared and delivered a coordinated attack.
“A friend of mine died in the process. I cannot tell how many died but I can tell you that they were all recruits. They are people I do relate with.
“The whole thing looks like revenge because, despite all the routes they passed, no civilian was armed. But I’m aware that a leader of the Civilian Joint Task Force was injured during the attack,” Wakil claimed.
