Four soldiers were killed and five others injured when Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway in Kaga LGA of Borno State.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, according to a statement from Operation Hadin Kai spokesperson, Lt. Col. Uba Sani.
Sani said the troops repelled a “coordinated terrorist attack” after a swift response by soldiers on the ground and reinforcements from the 29 Task Force Brigade.
“The terrorists employed Rocket Propelled Grenades, armed drones, and improvised explosive devices, targeting troops and their platforms,” he said.
Despite the intensity of the assault, the troops held their positions and responded with superior firepower, killing several insurgents.
“Unfortunately, our own troops recorded four killed in action and five wounded. Some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and gun trucks also sustained damage,” the statement added.
The military said the insurgents planted multiple improvised explosive devices along the Ngamdu–Damaturu route to block reinforcements and trap civilian movement. Army engineers later cleared three IED-laden spots, reopening the route for traffic.
Lt. Col. Sani said the troops had been resupplied with critical logistics, including ammunition and vehicle parts, to sustain operations in the area.
He added that credible intelligence indicated heavy terrorist casualties, with about 15 bodies reportedly buried near Bula Wura, close to Wasaram.
Meanwhile, motorists reported gridlock along the highway as soldiers conducted post-attack clearance operations.
A supervisor with Borno Express, a transport company, Muktar Yahaya, said several commercial buses were stranded during the security checks.
“Many of our drivers were stuck because the military temporarily restricted movement after the attack,” he told Punch.
The military assured residents that normalcy had been restored and that operations to secure the area were ongoing.
