Wednesday, 08 January 2025 05:12

Borno attack: Soldiers missing, casualties mount after base overrun

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Four days after Boko Haram militants launched a deadly assault on a military base in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, numerous soldiers remain missing, according to credible security sources.

The attack, which occurred at 4 p.m. on Saturday, targeted the Forward Operating Base in Sabon Gari. The assault involved a large number of insurgents, who overwhelmed the base’s defenses.

Despite ongoing efforts, the military and Borno State government have yet to issue an official statement. However, military insiders revealed that the casualty toll is rising as more bodies are being recovered.

“Some soldiers died en route to the hospital in Maiduguri, while many others remain unaccounted for,” said a military source. “It’s still too early to confirm exact figures, but over 12 bodies have been recovered so far.”

Another source confirmed to Daily Trust that the attackers dislodged the base, carted away equipment, and planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to thwart reinforcements. “The Forward Operations Base of the 25 Task Force Brigade was responsible for securing southern Damboa and curbing Boko Haram and ISWAP activities. Unfortunately, the base was overrun, with soldiers killed, equipment stolen, and others still missing,” the source added.

The base had an operational strength of 110 soldiers, but only about half have been accounted for so far.

The attack comes amid increasing sophistication in insurgent tactics. Two weeks prior, ISWAP fighters used modified drones in an attack on a neighboring base in Wajiroko, a sign of advanced planning and capabilities.

Residents and sources have linked the recent attacks to militants fleeing intensified military operations in the Lake Chad region. Many are believed to have regrouped in Sambisa Forest, joining factions loyal to the late Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.

Efforts to obtain official casualty figures from the Defence Headquarters have been unsuccessful. Calls and messages to Major-General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, remained unanswered as of press time.

The decade-long Boko Haram insurgency has devastated northeastern Nigeria, killing tens of thousands and displacing millions. Neighboring countries, including Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, have also been drawn into the conflict, which continues to pose a severe security challenge for the region.

April 26, 2025

Nigerian Stock Market dips after three-day rally

The Nigerian stock market ended its three-day bullish streak on Friday with a 0.3% decline…
April 21, 2025

Tunde Bakare to Tinubu: ‘Stop playing God, embrace humility’

In a fiery Easter Sunday state-of-the-nation address delivered in Lagos, Tunde Bakare, the serving overseer…
April 23, 2025

Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time to make big life decisions, says Phoenix mayor

Kate Gallego Kate Gallego knew she wanted to run for mayor of Phoenix, but the…
April 26, 2025

Declassified CIA file about UFO aliens attacking soldiers released

A declassified document posted to the CIA’s website is raising eyebrows with claims of an…
April 26, 2025

COINCIDENCE? Three times trucks have rammed into Christian processions in Gombe, The Cable queries

In Gombe state, there is a disturbing trend: vehicles crashing into processions of Christians during…
April 26, 2025

What to know after Day 1157 of Russia-Ukraine war

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE Russia and Ukraine 'very close to a deal', says Trump US President Donald…
April 25, 2025

Artificial sweetener found in diet drinks linked to brain changes that increase appetite, study finds

A growing body of evidence has increasingly linked diet sodas and other no- or low-calorie…
January 08, 2025

NFF appoints new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.