A yet-to-be-confirmed number of soldiers were feared killed by Boko Haram insurgents in an attack on a military base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State on Monday.
Local sources confirmed to The PUNCH that the attack occurred in the evening when the insurgents launched an assault on the military formation, firing sporadically and causing numerous casualties, including soldiers killed and others critically injured.
Although details of the attack remain scarce, a resident of Damboa, Abba Usman, provided additional information, saying that military reinforcements rushing to the scene stepped on a landmine, causing an explosion that resulted in injuries and possibly more casualties.
“I do not have much information, but I can confirm that there was an attack and soldiers were killed. Here, we also heard about how soldiers rushing to the base for reinforcement stepped on something like a bomb, and it exploded,” Usman said.
A military source also confirmed the attack but refrained from providing a specific number of soldiers killed, stating, “There was an attack, many soldiers were killed, but the figure is currently not known.”
When contacted, spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. A.Y. Jingina, responded via text, saying, “Please, I am out of station, and Sabon Gari is under Sector 2.”
However, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, confirmed the incident, stating, “I can confirm there was an IED attack in a place called Wajiroko (under Damboa). What happened was that our military personnel stepped on an IED. We lost one, and one sustained an injury. It was not an attack; it was an IED our soldiers stepped on.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has urged commanders and leaders of various Army formations across the country to collaborate with stakeholders in their respective areas to effectively address the nation’s security challenges. He made this call during the opening of the four-day First Senior Command and Leadership Seminar in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday.
In his speech, Oluyede emphasised the importance of building collaborations with other security agencies, civil society organisations, and traditional institutions to tackle terrorism and other criminal activities.
He stressed that fostering mutual respect and teamwork was essential for maintaining long-term national stability and effective counterterrorism efforts.
Oluyede, represented by the Chief of Training, Army, Maj. Gen. Abubakar Sadiq Ndalolo, urged the commanders to continuously adapt their strategies to meet evolving security threats. He encouraged them to engage in meaningful discussions and share best practices during the seminar.
“These stakeholders are pivotal to addressing the prevailing security threats within your areas of responsibilities.
“It is also pertinent that you strategically apply situational awareness and strategic communication skills when engaging these stakeholders, so that you can foster mutual respect and build teamwork. This integrated approach is not only key to addressing our immediate security threats. It can also contribute significantly to a long-term national stability,” he said.
The seminar is designed to equip the Army’s operational commanders and senior military leaders with the necessary skills to navigate the increasingly complex security environment in Nigeria.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe, commended the Nigerian Army for organising the seminar, calling it a vital platform for sharing experiences and enhancing operational leadership skills.
The Commander of the 4 Special Forces Command, Maj. Gen. Hilary Nzan, also expressed appreciation for the participants and emphasised the importance of transforming the Nigerian Army’s operations through innovation and strategic thinking.
