The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of four soldiers following a fierce Boko Haram attack on the Military Super Camp at Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway in Borno State.
In a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, and made available to journalists in Maiduguri, the army said troops successfully repelled the coordinated terrorist assault despite heavy gunfire and the use of sophisticated weapons.
Although unconfirmed reports had claimed that eight soldiers were killed, the army officially put the casualty figure at four killed and five wounded in action.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade,” the statement read.
The army said the insurgents deployed rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in their attempt to overrun the base.
“Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists,” Lt. Col. Uba stated.
The statement added that some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks sustained damage during the battle.
Following the assault, the insurgents reportedly planted multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR) in an attempt to block reinforcements and inflict further casualties. This led to a temporary closure of the highway, but army engineers later cleared three IED-laden spots, reopening the route to both military and civilian traffic.
“Credible intelligence confirms heavy terrorist casualties, with reports indicating mass burials of about 15 bodies conveyed in pushcarts by the terrorists for burial around Bula Wura, near Wasaram,” the statement added.
The army said additional logistics, including MRAP tyres and ammunition, had been supplied to sustain ongoing counterterrorism operations in the area. It also noted that 29 Task Force Brigade had launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations to consolidate gains and prevent further terrorist movements.
“The gallantry and resilience of the troops have been commended, and the public is assured that normalcy will be maintained as operations continue to secure the area,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Thursday’s attack caused major traffic disruptions along the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway, as the military sealed off the road for over seven hours during clearance operations.
Hundreds of travellers were stranded on both ends of the route, with some returning to their points of departure after long delays.
Mustapha Yaya, a postgraduate student at the University of Maiduguri, lamented that the closure prevented him from attending lectures.
“It’s almost 1 p.m. now and we are still held at Benishik, about 80 km from Maiduguri. I have missed my lectures today,” he said.
A commercial driver, Abdullahi from Kano, also said passengers bound for Abuja were forced to abandon their journey due to the prolonged gridlock.
Checks revealed that the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway had enjoyed over three years of uninterrupted safety prior to Thursday’s attack.
Many travellers expressed renewed fear and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen security on the strategic route.
“This is the only safe road to Maiduguri, and we’ve enjoyed peace for years. This incident has made us worried again. We call on President Tinubu to secure this highway,” said Abubakar, one of the stranded travellers.
