Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Monday attempted a major attack on the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State, but were successfully repelled by security forces.
The incident reportedly occurred around 12:50 am, less than 30 minutes after a separate attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters at Ajilari Cross and other areas in Maiduguri, the state capital. Residents said sporadic gunfire rang out for several minutes before normalcy returned.
Confirming the Damboa attack, the Borno State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said joint security operatives foiled the terrorists’ attempt to infiltrate the community.
“In another separate incident, at about 0100HRS, joint security operatives thwarted a suspected terrorist attack in Damboa LGA. Normalcy has been restored; more details are underway,” ASP Daso stated.
Residents near the military base described a tense night as terrorists tried to breach the town through the 25 Task Force Brigade but were met with heavy resistance.
A local source, who requested anonymity, said, “It was a horrible night. When we heard that terrorists were attempting to infiltrate Damboa through the military camp at the 25 Task Force Brigade, the news quickly spread. Thank God for the effort of our gallant troops.”
Efforts to reach the Media Information Officer of the Joint Taskforce, Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sanni Uba, for comments were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.
This attack comes two weeks after terrorists stormed a military base in Ngoshe, killing civilians and abducting over 300 residents. Less than 48 hours after that attack, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (Boko Haram) claimed responsibility and threatened to extend terror activities to Maiduguri and Abuja.
In a video obtained by our correspondent, members of the group, speaking in Hausa, said they had beheaded men and women during the Ngoshe attack.
One of them stated, “With the help of God, we have already conquered Ngoshe. We are not going to stop only in Ngoshe. We will attack Maiduguri and proceed to Abuja.”
