Over 15 Boko Haram members and two soldiers have been confirmed dead during clashes over control of New Marte town in Borno State.
The clash started after the gunmen, who rode on about 20 motorcycles and a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), stormed the military base with the aim at breaching the battalion’s defences.
As gathered, the gunmen launched a coordinated attack on the troops in New Marte at about 1:35 a.m. on Tuesday, to ensure ease access towards attacking communities along the route in the state.
However, the combined firepower of Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Nigerian Air Force Air Component, overwhelmed the attackers.
The VBIED, meant to cause maximum damage, was abandoned by the terrorists as they fled under sustained fire and aerial bombardment.
According to intelligence sources, the retreating insurgents made desperate efforts to evacuate their dead and wounded, managing to flee with at least 15 corpses of their fighters while leaving behind several destroyed motorcycles and heavy blood trails at the New Marte airstrip.
“They came in like a swarm, heavily armed, and used a VBIED to lead the charge. But once our troops responded and the air component came in, they were completely overwhelmed. They abandoned the VBIED and began dragging their casualties into the bush. From what we tracked, at least 15 bodies were evacuated. It was a major blow to them,” the sources said.
The source added that aerial surveillance and ground exploitation confirmed that several motorcycles used for the assault were destroyed in the process, while others were left behind due to the rapid counter-offensive.
Two Nigerian soldiers lost their lives during the encounter, while one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle sustained tyre damage and a gun truck was partially hit.
In a related incident, troops also foiled an attempted incursion by ISWAP fighters on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kumshe, where the terrorists were again repelled after a fierce exchange of fire. Some terrorists were believed to have been neutralised during the encounter.
Confirming the development, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, said that the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) foiled the attack through a combined effort of ground forces and the Air Component of OPHK.
Kovangiya, in a statement made available to newsmen, narrated that the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the troops’ location, but were met with heavy gunfire.
According to the statement, “The Air Component provided immediate Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and offensive fire support, leading to the decimation of several fleeing terrorists.
“Regrettably, two soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice during the encounter. However, troops recovered one Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) SUV abandoned by the terrorists during pursuit. Several motorcycles conveying the terrorists were also destroyed by precision air strikes.
“During exploitation of the area, troops discovered lifeless bodies of the terrorists, with traces of blood on their withdrawal routes, indicating additional casualties inflicted on the terrorists.
“In a related development, troops also repelled a daring attempt by terrorists to attack the Forward Operating Base at Kumshe.
“The collaborative effort demonstrates the renewed jointness and team spirit in the fight against terrorism, geared towards bringing lasting peace to enable socio-economic activities thrive in the North East region”.
