By Sam Kayode
Maiduguri Damaturu road, the only exit from the Borno state capital has been opened to commuters after temporary shut down today when improvised explosive devices (IED’s) were planted against Nigerian troops earlier this morning.
The IED’s were set at the wee hours of the day when insurgents launched a fierce attack on the Ngamdu military base causing damage to the general area for at least an hour.
Just before the first light, of friday, reinforcement coming from Mainoc and Beneshiek to join forces with the camp drove directly on top of IED’s which the insurgents had planted before their aggression against the Ngamdu super camp.
By first light, hundreds of commuters and their vehicles were already trapped at the exit point in ‘Damaturu’ enroute to ‘Maiduguri as a result of the wee hour attack on the base while those coming from Maiduguri were also affected.
Those coming from Damaturu were stopped from embarking on the journey till about midday when the ever busy road bounced back to life with the clearing of the IEDs.
Some of the troops were feared killed even as the suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked the military base which is a super camp along the express way in Kaga council area of the state
A military source hinted that troops fought back for over an hour to stop the terrorists from over running the camp before 4 am when the fracas reduced with reinforcement.
The insurgents operated for over an hour before arrival of the second batch of troop reinforcement to ward off the attack.
Responding to the incident the spokesman for the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army lt colonel Uba stated that the attack has been successfully repeled and the route is quite safe to commute now.
In a release this afternoon, he said
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade.
“The terrorists employed Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices, targeting troops and own platforms.
“Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists. Unfortunately, own troops recorded 4 x Killed in Action (KIA) and 5 x Wounded in Action (WIA). Additionally, some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks (GTs) sustained varying degrees of damages during the encounter.
“The terrorists attempted to prevent reinforcements and inflict further casualties by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR). This necessitated a temporary closure of the MSR, as engineers swiftly responded to clear 3 IED-laden spots. Following successful clearance, the MSR has now been reopened to both military and civilian movement.
“In response to the attack, troops were immediately resupplied with critical logistics, including MRAP tyres and ammunition, to sustain operations and restore full mobility. Credible intelligence confirms heavy terrorist casualties, with reports indicating mass burials of about 15 bodies conveyed in pushcarts by the terrorists for burial around Bula Wura, near Wasaram.
“As part of continued efforts to dominate the area, 29 Task Force Brigade has launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations aimed at denying the terrorists freedom of action and consolidating operational gains.
“The gallantry and resilience of the troops have been commended and the public assured that normalcy would be sustained with operations ongoing to maintain peace and security in the area.”
Said the spokesman.
