Four soldiers killed as Boko Haram attack in Borno targets Ngamdu military base; Nigerian Army repels insurgents, restores calm along Maiduguri–Damaturu highway.
The Boko Haram attack in Borno on Thursday left four Nigerian soldiers dead and several others wounded after insurgents launched a coordinated offensive on the Military Super Camp in Ngamdu, along the strategic Damaturu–Maiduguri highway.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the incident in a statement released by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai.
The army said its troops bravely repelled the heavily armed insurgents, preventing what could have been a devastating takeover of the military facility.
According to the statement, the insurgents unleashed a fierce assault, deploying Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to target soldiers and vehicles.
Despite the intensity of the Boko Haram attack in Borno, troops stood their ground, engaging the militants with superior firepower that resulted in heavy losses on the side of the terrorists.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba explained that the encounter resulted in four soldiers killed in action (KIA) and five wounded in action (WIA). Several Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks sustained varying levels of damage during the clash.
“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 from the 29 Task Force Brigade,” the statement read.
He added that although earlier reports suggested as many as eight soldiers had died, the official confirmation stands at four.
The Boko Haram attack in Borno also forced a temporary shutdown of the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR), as terrorists planted several IEDs along the road to delay reinforcements and inflict more casualties.
Army engineers were swiftly deployed to the scene and successfully cleared three IED-laden spots, allowing for the reopening of the highway to both civilian and military movement.
Following the confrontation, troops were immediately resupplied with vital logistics such as MRAP tyres and ammunition to maintain full operational capacity.
Intelligence reports later confirmed that the insurgents suffered significant casualties, with about 15 bodies reportedly buried around the Bula Wura area near Wasaram.
In the aftermath of the Boko Haram attack in Borno, the 29 Task Force Brigade launched aggressive patrols and exploitation operations in nearby communities to prevent the insurgents from regrouping.
These actions were part of ongoing efforts to dominate the area, deny the terrorists freedom of movement, and consolidate the army’s territorial control.
“The gallantry and resilience of our troops have been commendable,” Uba stated, emphasizing that the Nigerian Army remains committed to safeguarding communities in Borno State and the entire North-East.
“The public is assured that normalcy has been restored and operations are continuing to maintain peace and security.”
While the soldiers fought to secure the Ngamdu base, hundreds of travelers were left stranded on the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway after the army closed the road for more than seven hours.
The temporary closure, though necessary for security operations, caused severe delays for commuters traveling between Borno and other parts of northern Nigeria.
Long queues of vehicles stretched for kilometers as soldiers conducted thorough checks to ensure that the road was safe for passage after clearing the IEDs.
Many travelers, particularly those heading to distant destinations such as Jos, Abuja, Kano, and Bauchi, were forced to return to their starting points.
Those who waited were not able to continue their journey until around 1:00 p.m., when the road was finally reopened.
The reopening, however, came with strict screening procedures at several checkpoints, leading to heavy traffic congestion and frustration among passengers.
One of the affected passengers, Mustapha Yaya, a postgraduate student at the University of Maiduguri, narrated his experience:
“It’s almost 1:00 p.m. now, and we are still held up at Benishik, about 80 kilometers to Maiduguri. I doubt we’ll get through any time soon. I have already missed my lectures scheduled for 2:00 p.m.,” he lamented.
Another traveler, Abubakar, voiced concern over the renewed security challenges:
“This is the only safe route to Maiduguri that we have left. We’ve enjoyed relative peace for some time, but this Boko Haram attack in Borno has made us anxious again.
“We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that this highway is fully secured so travelers can move safely.”
The incident has rekindled public anxiety over the safety of roads in the region, especially as the Maiduguri–Damaturu route is one of the few highways that had remained relatively safe in recent years.
Security analysts have commended the army’s prompt response and operational coordination, which prevented greater casualties.
They, however, stressed the need for enhanced surveillance using modern technologies such as drones and satellite imagery to detect insurgent movements before attacks occur.
In response, the army reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stability in the North-East and supporting local communities affected by insurgent violence.
The statement reiterated that troops under Operation Hadin Kai are conducting ongoing patrols, intelligence operations, and area domination activities to sustain peace in Borno State.
The Boko Haram attack in Borno serves as a grim reminder that the insurgency, though weakened, still poses a threat to regional stability.
It underscores the need for continuous vigilance, robust intelligence sharing, and sustained collaboration between security forces and local residents.
The bravery displayed by Nigerian soldiers during the Boko Haram attack in Borno once again highlights the resilience of the armed forces in defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
As the army continues its counterinsurgency operations, the people of Borno and the entire North-East region look forward to a time when peace will fully return, and normal life can resume without fear.
The Nigerian Army’s success in repelling this attack reinforces its commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace in Nigeria’s troubled North-East.
