Two Soldiers Injured as Military Repels ISWAP Attack in Borno

Troops of the Nigerian Army have repelled a coordinated attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a Forward Operating Base in Gajigana, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State.

It was gathered that the attempted assault on Saturday evening was thwarted after a fierce gun duel between the soldiers and the terrorists forcing them to retreat with heavy casualties.

A large number of suspected ISWAP fighters advanced on the military base around 7:20 p.m. to launch the attack, according to security sources who spoke to the counter-insurgency publication, Zagazola Makama.

The terrorists were reported to be riding a number of motorcycles with two gun trucks in support, while another group was said to have approached the base on foot in what appeared to be a coordinated attack.

Sources said troops of the 212 Battalion detected the movement of the attackers before they reached the base and immediately opened fire.

The troops spotted the oncoming terrorists in good time and immediately engaged them with overwhelming firepower, frustrating the assault and forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray, the sources said.

The report said a reinforcement team led by the Commanding Officer of the 212 Battalion arrived to bolster the troops’ position and ensure the area remained secure shortly after the initial exchange of gunfire.

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The extra troops helped stabilise the situation and prevented the terrorists from regrouping for another attack.

Security sources said the terrorists paid a heavy price for the botched operation.

Some of the attackers were reported killed and others fled with the bodies of their fallen comrades.

During the failed attack the terrorists suffered heavy losses and some bodies were dragged away by their retreating comrades, the sources added.

The attack was successfully repulsed but two soldiers were shot in the encounter.

First aid was given to the injured on the spot and they were evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital for further treatment.

During the exchange of fire there was also some minor damage to military equipment.

According to the report, the body of a gun truck and four of its tyres were damaged by fragments from a rocket-propelled grenade fired by the attackers.