No fewer than 28 soldiers lost their lives on Monday when Boko Haram fighters invaded a military base in Borno state.
The insurgents, who combed the military base in Gajiram, Nganzai local government area of the state, carted away ammunition, seized military trucks and abducted some soldiers.
Speaking to TheCable, one of the military officials described the attack as one of the deadliest in 2019.
He said it is believed to have been coordinated by the faction of Boko Haram being controlled by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).
“It looks as if ISIS has taken a new interest in our country. The way these people have been taking us on is surprising,” the source said.
“This Monday attack was very serious. We fought for more than three hours before we ran out of ammunition. They used that opening to kill our many and seize many weapons.
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“Many of our soldiers were taken hostage by the terrorists who did not touch anybody in the community because we were their target. They only looted foodstuff.”
It was gathered that 15 soldiers were recovered on the spot while the rest were found after the insurgents had left. Most of them died while fleeing the attack.
The source added that at 9pm on Monday, a reinforcement team from Monguno, still in Borno, to evacuate the remains of the soldiers.
Recall that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Col. Tukur Buratai on Tuesday courted controversy and backlash after blaming soldiers for the riding attacks by the Boko Haram sect.