The Nigerian Army has confirmed that five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed during an attack on a military base in Borno State, while maintaining that troops successfully repelled the assault.
The attack targeted the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandara-Girau under the 25 Brigade, Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s counter-insurgency task force in the North-east.
In a statement issued on Friday, the spokesman for Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, said the attack occurred at about 3 a.m. when suspected insurgents launched an assault on the facility.
According to him, the attackers took advantage of heavy rainfall and poor visibility in an attempt to penetrate the base’s defences and overrun troops stationed there.
Sani said soldiers responded swiftly with a strong counter-offensive that prevented the insurgents from gaining access to the facility.
“Determined troops responded with a fierce counter-offensive, decisively frustrating further incursions and inflicting casualties on the attackers,” he stated.
The military spokesman, however, confirmed that the battle resulted in casualties among security personnel.
“Regrettably, in the course of the battle, five gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the intense firefight and close-quarter engagement while some equipment were also affected by the firefight,” he said.
He added that three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force also lost their lives while supporting troops during the operation.
The statement further disclosed that personnel injured during the attack had been evacuated by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai and were receiving medical treatment.
“Those wounded have been airlifted and are currently in stable condition while receiving appropriate medicare,” Sani said.
The army described the fallen soldiers and CJTF members as heroes whose sacrifice reflected dedication, courage and commitment to national security.
Despite the losses, the military said troops retained full control of the base and have continued clearance and exploitation operations in the surrounding area.
“Troops remain firmly in control of the FOB and continue to dominate the general area, while exploitation operations are ongoing for consolidation,” the statement added.
The attack had earlier sparked reports that suspected Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters had overrun the military facility, killing several soldiers and injuring others.
However, the army insisted that the attack was successfully thwarted and described it as a sign of the increasing desperation of terrorist groups facing sustained military pressure across the North-east.
The military also announced the deployment of additional troops and critical combat assets to strengthen ongoing operations and enhance the protection of communities across the region.
