Boko Haram fighters reportedly attacked a military base in Mandaragirau, Borno State, killing soldiers and CJTF members as claims of beheadings emerge.
A deadly attack allegedly carried out by Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters has reportedly claimed the lives of several military personnel, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and repentant insurgents working alongside security forces in Borno State.
According to security and local sources, the assault occurred in the early hours of Friday at a military formation located in Mandaragirau village, Biu Local Government Area.
The attackers were said to have struck around 4:00 a.m. while heavy rainfall was ongoing, catching troops and allied forces off guard.
Sources disclosed that the insurgents arrived in large numbers and launched a coordinated assault on the military position, leading to intense gunfire and heavy casualties on both sides.
While several of the attackers were reportedly killed or wounded during the confrontation, security personnel and local collaborators also suffered significant losses.
A resident of Biu, Mallam Usman Yahaya, said military ambulances were seen transporting casualties from the scene into Biu town.
According to him, emergency evacuation efforts continued for several hours after the attack as wounded personnel were moved for treatment.
Another source familiar with the incident claimed that at least 20 people, including members of the CJTF and former insurgents who had surrendered and were assisting security operations, lost their lives during the attack. The source further alleged that several soldiers were also among those killed.
Security insiders stated that the attackers succeeded in breaching parts of the military formation after launching the surprise assault under the cover of darkness and poor weather conditions.
The heavy rain reportedly limited visibility and contributed to the success of the initial attack.
One source alleged that a number of soldiers were killed during the operation and several others sustained injuries. The source further claimed that portions of the military base were temporarily overrun before reinforcements responded.
Mandaragirau and nearby communities along the Biu-Damboa-Maiduguri road have remained vulnerable to insurgent activities over the years.
The route was previously closed to motorists for an extended period due to persistent security threats and recurring attacks by terrorist groups operating in the region.
A video clip reportedly obtained from the aftermath of the incident showed several bodies believed to be those of security personnel lying on the ground and covered with blankets. However, the authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military had not issued an official statement regarding the attack, casualty figures, or the current security situation in the affected area.
The incident adds to ongoing security concerns in parts of Borno State, where troops continue to battle remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP despite years of counter-insurgency operations.
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