Four Nigerian soldiers lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries after Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military outpost in Ngamdu, located along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to reports, the assault occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Friday when the terrorists launched a coordinated offensive against troops stationed in the area.
In a statement released after the incident, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Uba Sani, confirmed the attack and noted that the insurgents suffered heavy losses during the exchange.
“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist assault in the Ngamdu general area. The attack involved Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) targeting troops and their platforms,” Sani said.
Despite the intensity of the attack, the troops reportedly held their ground and fought back with superior firepower.
“Unfortunately, four soldiers were killed in action, while five others sustained injuries. Some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks were also damaged during the confrontation,” he added.
Lt. Col. Sani revealed that the insurgents tried to block reinforcements by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR), which temporarily disrupted movement on the road.
“Military engineers were immediately deployed to clear three IED-laden points, and normal traffic has since resumed for both military and civilian users,” he stated.
Following the attack, troops were resupplied with ammunition, vehicle parts, and other logistics to sustain operations and ensure mobility.
Intelligence reports, according to Sani, indicated that the terrorists suffered significant casualties.
“Credible intelligence shows the insurgents conducted mass burials for about 15 of their fighters around Bula Wura near Wasaram,” he said.
He assured that ongoing operations would continue to stabilize the area and restore peace for residents and commuters.
Meanwhile, motorists traveling along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway confirmed that traffic was heavily congested on Friday morning as the military conducted post-attack assessments and security checks.
Muktar Yahaya, a supervisor with Borno Express, a state-owned transport company, said several of their vehicles were stranded during the gridlock.
“Boko Haram attacked Ngamdu overnight, and our drivers were stuck on the road for hours due to intensified military operations and checks,” Yahaya said.
The military has since cleared the route, and normal movement has resumed.
