The Defence headquarters on Wednesday said six soldiers were killed following a large-scale attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on Sabon Gari Community in Damboa LGA of Borno State .
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, who disclosed this, however, said 34 of the terrorists were neutralized by joint air and ground forces during the attack.
Videos of Boko Haram attacks in the area had gone viral on social media earlier in the week.
In a statement titled, “Terrorists Killed in Attack on Sabin Gari in Damboa LGA of Borno State” Buba said the terrorists in gun trucks and motorcycles attempted to retaliate the recent killing of their commanders.
It reads, “On 4 January 2025, an unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and Gun trucks engaged troops deployed in Sabin Gari Village of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State in a firefight.
“The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops.
“The terrorist was taken unaware when troops fighting patrol returning to base foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced.
“Additionally, the troop’s reinforcement team comprised of elements of Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilante as well and hybrid forces timely arrived at the scene to overpower the terrorists.
“Furthermore, though troops reinforcement team encountered an Improvise Explosive Device injuring the Vigilante Commander.
“The reinforcement team arrived in time to decimate the fleeing terrorist.
“Furthermore, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorist.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed several killed terrorists and recovered weapons.
“On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK 47 weapons were recovered.
“Troops also recovered over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“Sadly, 6 personnel were killed in action.
“Kindly note that the names of killed in-action personnel are withheld to allow administrative procedures of notifying their Next of Kin to be concluded. Accordingly, the media is requested to respect the process, please
“On the whole, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation.
“Accordingly, troops remain committed to the course of defeating the terrorists.”
Leave a Reply