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 which took place on Saturday evening was thwarted following a fierce gun battle between the soldiers and the terrorists forcing them to retreat with heavy casualties.
According to security sources who spoke to counter-insurgency publication, Zagazola Makama, the attack started at about 7:20 p.m when a large number of suspected ISWAP fighters advanced towards the military base.
The terrorists were reported to be on a number of motorcycles with support from two gun trucks, while another group was said to have approached the base on foot in what appeared to be a coordinated attack.
Sources said that the movement of the attackers was detected by troops of the 212 Battalion before they reached the base and they immediately opened fire.
The sources said: “The troops detected the advancing terrorists early and immediately engaged them with overwhelming firepower, frustrating the assault and forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray.”
A reinforcement team led by the Commanding Officer of the 212 Battalion arrived shortly after the initial exchange of gunfire to strengthen the troops’ position and ensure the area remained secure, the report said.
The additional troops helped to stabilize the situation and prevent the terrorists from regrouping for another attack.
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The terrorists faced heavy losses in the botched operation, the security sources said.
Several of the attackers were said to have been killed, while others fled with the bodies of their fallen comrades.
During the failed attack, the terrorists sustained heavy losses, with some bodies being dragged away by their retreating comrades, the sources added.
The attack was repelled successfully but two soldiers were shot in the encounter.
The injured personnel were provided with first aid at the scene and thereafter evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital for onward treatment.
There was also some minor damage to military equipment during the exchange of fire.
The report said fragments from a rocket-propelled grenade fired by the attackers damaged the body of a gun truck and four of its tyres.
