By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

At least 15 dead bodies of suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were hastily evacuated by their comrades after a failed midnight assault on New Marte in Borno State.

Zagazola Makama gathered from impeccable sources that the insurgents, on about 20 motorcycles had launched a coordinated attack on troops in New Marte at about 1:35 a.m. on Tuesday. They arrived on motorcycles and with a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), apparently aimed at breaching the battalion?s defences.

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. (Zagazola)

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