Four Nigerian soldiers have been confirmed dead and five others injured after Boko Haram terrorists launched a coordinated assault on a military post in Ngamdu, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Friday.
The attack, which occurred around 2:30 a.m. along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway, saw the insurgents deploy rocket-propelled grenades, armed drones, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in an attempt to overrun the base.
Spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Uba Sani, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the troops fought gallantly and successfully repelled the attack despite its intensity.
“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 statement read.
He explained that the terrorists used heavy weapons, including command-initiated IEDs and RPGs, but were subdued by superior firepower from the troops.
“Unfortunately, our troops recorded four killed in action and five wounded in action. Some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks sustained varying degrees of damage during the encounter,” Sani said.
He added that the insurgents planted multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR) to block reinforcements and cause further casualties. Military engineers later cleared three explosive-laden spots, allowing the highway to reopen for civilian and military movement.
Lt. Col. Sani disclosed that fresh logistics, including MRAP tyres and ammunition, were immediately supplied to sustain ongoing operations in the area.
“Credible intelligence confirms heavy terrorist casualties, with reports indicating mass burials of about 15 bodies conveyed in pushcarts by the terrorists around Bula Wura, near Wasaram,” he said.
Meanwhile, travellers experienced heavy gridlock along the Damaturu–Maiduguri road during the military’s post-attack assessment.
A supervisor with Borno Express, a state-owned transport company, Muktar Yahaya, said the company’s drivers were stranded for hours.
“Boko Haram launched an attack in Ngamdu, and many of our buses were stuck because of military checks in the area.
As of this morning, vehicles were still parked by the roadside, unable to continue their journeys,” he said.
Lt. Col. Sani assured that normalcy had been restored, with troops maintaining control of the area and continuing clearance operations to ensure peace and security across the region.