Militant attack on Nigeria army base kills at least two soldiers in Borno

An attack by suspected ISWAP fighters on a military base in northeastern Nigeria has left at least two soldiers dead and several others wounded, according to military and security sources.

The assault took place in the early hours of Thursday (May 7) in the town of Magumeri in Borno State, a region that has long been at the centre of an armed insurgency led by groups including Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

A military source described a deadly pre-dawn raid on a Forward Operating Base, saying:

“Three soldiers were killed in the attack while the commanding officer was severely injured ... and 14 other soldiers were injured.”

The source added that militants suffered losses during the exchange of fire.

“A military source told Reuters three soldiers were killed in the attack while the commanding officer ⁠was severely wounded when the militants stormed the Forward Operating Base in Magumeri under poor visibility.

“Three soldiers were killed in the attack while the commanding officer was severely injured ... and 14 other soldiers were injured,” the source said, adding that about eight militants were killed. Troops recovered 20 motorcycles, several machineguns and rocket-propelled grenades from the assailants after repelling the attack, the source said.”

Members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, which supports the military in counterinsurgency operations, also reported heavy casualties and damage at the base.

“The commanding officer sustained injury and about 20 others sustained gunshot injuries,” a member of the group said, adding that around 10 fighters were killed.

Nigeria’s military, under Operation Hadin Kai run by the Operation Hadin Kai, said troops had repelled the assault and inflicted losses on the attackers.

“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the battle, while an ⁠officer and other wounded personnel are currently stable and receiving appropriate medical attention,” Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, spokesperson for the joint task force, said in a statement.

The military also said equipment and temporary structures were damaged during the fighting, while weapons were recovered from fleeing militants.

“Some equipment and temporary structures were damaged by fire during the battle and that troops recovered anti-aircraft guns, AK-47 rifles and ammunition from fleeing militants,” the statement added.

By Aghakazim Guliyev