Boko Haram Assault In Borno: Soldiers And Terrorists Killed In Intense Conflict

Boko Haram Assault In Borno: Soldiers And Terrorists Killed In Intense Conflict

In a recent attack on Izge village, located in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, at least one captain and one corporal of the Nigerian military were among numerous Boko Haram insurgents killed. The assault occurred around 1 a.m. on Monday as heavily armed members of Boko Haram targeted a military installation in Izge, a critical area near the Sambisa Forest, approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Gwoza town.

Reports from sources in the area indicate that the terrorists initiated their attack using Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) to strike at troops from Operation Hadin Kai, leading to a fierce firefight that prolonged for several hours.

Despite facing an onslaught from the attackers, local residents of Izge, supported by community vigilantes and hunters, rallied to defend their village, assisting the military in repelling the invasion.

After suffering considerable casualties, the attackers ultimately retreated, removing their deceased comrades from the battleground. A local resident, Mallam Isa Usman, shared his harrowing account: “We were attacked at 1 a.m. when most of us were asleep. Unfortunately, we lost a Captain and a Corporal during the clash, but many of the terrorists were also neutralized. Those who survived fled, taking their fallen colleagues with them.”

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, expressed grave concern regarding the persistent threats posed by Boko Haram in his constituency. While he acknowledged the efforts of the military and security forces, he strongly urged the federal government to adopt more decisive measures against the insurgency.

Ndume advocated for the deployment of advanced technologies, including drones, to enhance the military’s capability in combating Boko Haram. “The federal government must equip and support our military with sophisticated resources to resolve this long-standing Boko Haram crisis, addressing not only terrorism but also other security issues such as kidnapping and banditry,” he emphasized.

He also praised the bravery of the residents of Izge, who played a vital role in assisting military personnel during the attack, contributing to the recovery of stolen arms and ammunition. “The residents of Izge have demonstrated remarkable courage. By assisting the troops in repelling the assault, they helped recover looted arms and ammunition,” Ndume noted.

Although attempts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, for confirmation were unsuccessful, the Executive Chairman of Gwoza, Hon. Abba Kawu Idrissa Timta, confirmed the incident. He stated that while the precise number of military casualties remains uncertain, a significant number of terrorists were neutralized during the conflict.

The federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is now called upon to strengthen the capabilities of the Nigerian military and security agencies to effectively confront terrorism and other forms of criminal activity affecting various regions in the country.