There was an intense exchange of gunfire in Borno on Wednesday night
as a huge number of suspected Boko Haram terrorists descended on a
military base in Yobe with the intention of dislodging the troops there
and taking over the location.
Military insiders reported that the terrorists stormed the
military base in Kamuya at 5:30 p.m. from three different directions
shooting non-stop for over 30 minutes.
Because the attack was
unexpected and the terrorists were in such a large number than the
officers and men at the camp, the troops initially withdrew, our sources
said.
However, a reinforcement was quickly sent from Buni Yadi to join the troop on ground.
After hours of intense fighting, the troops were able to retake the camps, with the terrorists fleeing.
A
large number of Boko Haram terrorists were said to have been killed in
battle with some fleeing the scene with gunshot wounds.
One
source said three Nigerian soldiers died while some equipment were lost
during the battle. A number of soldiers are also said to be missing.
The Yobe attack came days after
suspected Boko Haram members abducted seven women and killed three other
persons when they attacked a village in the southern part of Borno
State.
Witnesses and police said the incident occurred in Ndagu Village of Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
Ndagu village is located near Alagarno, which was once known as the
spiritual headquarters of Boko Haram and was said to have been recently
liberated by troops of the Nigeria military.
A leader of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Borno State, Abbas
Gava, reported that he received a report from one of his
colleagues in Askira-Uba Local Government Area that Ndagu in Lassa
district came under massive attack by Boko Haram.
Mr. Gava said he was briefed by the Commander of VGN in Askira-Uba,
Hamidu Wampana, that many of the residents fled into the jungle when the
gunmen set the whole village on fire.
The army authorities were yet to comment on the Yobe attack at the time of this report.
Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, did not pick or return calls and did not respond to an SMS sent to him.
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