Boko Haram Attacks Military Base In Borno, Seven Soldiers Feared Killed

SUSPECTED Boko Haram terrorists have attacked a military formation in Mairari community, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, with some soldiers feared killed.

News Point Nigeria gathered that the terrorists attacked the military post in the early hours of Wednesday, with local sources confirming that the assault lasted for more than two hours and left casualties feared on both sides.

Confirming the incident to The PUNCH on Thursday, the Chairman of Guzamala Local Government Area, Umar Sheriff, said there were no civilian casualties, adding that the terrorists specifically targeted the military post.

He said, “The incident occurred this morning around 1 am. Though I don’t have statistics regarding the casualties yet, because it’s not everything we are told. It’s a security matter. But I know that no civilian was killed.”

Sheriff described the attack as a major one, noting that the locality had not witnessed such an incident in recent times.

“They have never attacked as much as this time, but thank God, the military were able to repel them,” he stressed.

The chairman said the situation was currently calm, adding that he would visit the community on Thursday to assess the situation on the ground.

“The situation is calm. I will be there tomorrow morning (Thursday) to evaluate the situation,” he stated.

Meanwhile, local sources, who pleaded not to be identified, said both sides suffered casualties during the attack.

“I know there are military casualties. It was rumoured that seven soldiers were killed, but no one could verify that yet,” one source said.

Another source familiar with the incident told The PUNCH that the attack had thrown the entire town into tension, adding that the intensity of the gunfire suggested that the terrorists might also have suffered casualties.

“That attack left the entire town in tension. With the gunfire yesterday, there is no way that the terrorists will not suffer casualties. Both local forces and the military stood their ground,” the source said.

However, the reported death toll remains unverified, as the local sources could not independently confirm the rumour that seven soldiers were killed.

Efforts to contact the Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, for comments failed, as he neither answered nor returned calls as of press time.