The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of four soldiers during the recent insurgent attack on the Military Super Camp at Ngamdu, located along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway.

In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, and made available to journalists in Maiduguri, the Army said the troops successfully repelled the attackers despite intense gunfire.

While earlier reports suggested that eight soldiers lost their lives in the encounter, the Army officially confirmed only four fatalities.

According to the statement, the insurgents launched a coordinated assault on the camp using sporadic rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and armed drones but were ultimately subdued by the superior firepower of the Nigerian troops.

The statement read, “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 terrorists employed Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices, targeting troops and own platforms. Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists.

“Unfortunately, own troops recorded 4 x Killed in Action (KIA) and 5 x Wounded in Action (WIA). Additionally, some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks (GTs) sustained varying degrees of damage during the encounter.

“The terrorists attempted to prevent reinforcements and inflict further casualties by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR). This necessitated a temporary closure of the MSR, as engineers swiftly responded to clear 3 IED-laden spots. Following successful clearance, the MSR has now been reopened to both military and civilian movement.

“In response to the attack, troops were immediately resupplied with critical logistics, including MRAP tyres and ammunition, to sustain operations and restore full mobility.

“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.

“As part of continued efforts to dominate the area, 29 Task Force Brigade has launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations aimed at denying the terrorists freedom of action and consolidating operational gains.

“The gallantry and resilience of the troops have been commended and the public assured that normalcy would be sustained with operations ongoing to maintain peace and security in the area.”

Meanwhile, travellers along the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway faced severe hardship on Thursday after the Nigerian Army blocked the road for more than seven hours following an insurgent attack on the Military Super Camp at Ngamdu.

Hundreds of commuters were stranded on both ends of the highway, unable to proceed to their destinations. Many long-distance travellers heading to Bauchi, Jos, Abuja, and Kano were forced to turn back after realizing they could not continue their journeys in good time.

Those who chose to wait were held up until about 1:00 p.m., when the road was finally reopened, though with heightened security checks that caused heavy gridlock at multiple checkpoints along the route.

One of the stranded passengers, Mustapha Yaya, a master’s degree student at the University of Maiduguri who was traveling from Damaturu, lamented missing his 2:00 p.m. lecture due to the prolonged road closure.

“It’s almost 1 p.m. now, and we are still stuck at Benishik, about 80 kilometers from Maiduguri. I doubt we’ll get moving in the next hour because the road is still blocked. I’ve already missed my lectures today,” he said.

A commercial driver, Abdullahi from Kano, who was en route to Abuja, said he had to suspend his journey after all his passengers decided to cancel their travel plans.

Findings by The Nation revealed that the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway had remained free from insurgent attacks for more than three years until the latest incident.

Several travelers expressed fear over the renewed attack and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the route remains secure.

“This is the only safe road we have to Maiduguri. We’ve enjoyed relative peace for years, but this attack has made us anxious again. We’re calling on President Tinubu to secure this highway for travelers,” said Abubakar, one of the passengers. (The Nation)