8 soldiers dead, 23 others injured as ISWAP raids military base in Borno

A deadly raid by fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP of military base in Borno has led to death of 8 soldiers and 23 critically injured.

This was disclosed by a foreign news outlet, AFP, which quoted security sources as saying that about 70 insurgents riding on motorcycles attacked a military base at Cross Kauwa village on Monday, leading to a fierce gun battle.

Advertisements

“Eight soldiers paid the supreme price, and 23 others sustained injuries,” a military officer said.

The attackers reportedly mobilised from a camp on Dabar Masara island in Lake Chad before making a long detour to strike the base.

Advertisements

Two anti-jihadist militia sources supporting the military confirmed the casualty figure, stating that the insurgents overran and set the base ablaze.

“The terrorists burnt down the base along with 11 gun trucks and took away the anti-aircraft guns mounted on them,” one militia source said.

All sources spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to comment officially.

The base, located about 24 kilometres from the fishing hub of Baga, has served as a key security stronghold shielding the town from insurgent attacks.

The latest assault comes amid a renewed wave of attacks by ISWAP and rival extremist group Boko Haram across the North-East.

According to the military, jihadists attacked two other bases in Borno over the weekend.

Late Saturday, ISWAP fighters stormed a base in Mandaragirau near the Sambisa forest enclave, killing and injuring an unspecified number of soldiers and militia members.

In a separate incident, Boko Haram militants attacked another base in Pulka near the Cameroon border, destroying military equipment and accommodation before troops repelled the assault with reinforcements.

Advertisements