Six soldiers were killed during a terrorist attack on a military base at Sabon Gari in Dambo Local Government Area of Borno State, the Defence Headquarters has said.
The attack occurred on January 4, with latest reports suggesting that at least 12 soldiers died, while a handful of them are still missing.
However, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement on Wednesday, said the identities of the deceased soldiers were withheld in line with administrative procedures.
Maj. Gen. Buba said 34 members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed, with 23 AK-47 weapons, and over 200 rounds of ammunition, recovered.
He disclosed that the terrorists attempted to launch a surprise reprisal attack following recent losses of their top leader and fighters.
“On 4 January, 2025, an unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and gun trucks engaged troops deployed in Sabon Gari Village of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State in a firefight.
“The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops. The terrorists were taken unaware when troops fighting patrol returning to base foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced.
“Additionally, troops reinforcement teams comprised of elements of civilian joint taskforce, vigilantes, and hybrid forces timely arrived at the scene to overpower the terrorists.
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“Furthermore, though the troops reinforcement teams encountered improvise explosive device injuring the vigilante commander, the reinforcement teams arrived timely to decimate the fleeing terrorist.
“Furthermore, the air component of ‘Operation HADIN KAI’ conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists. Battle damage assessment revealed several killed terrorists and recovered weapons.
“On the whole, 34 terrorists were killed and 23 AK-47 weapons recovered. Troops also recovered over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Sadly, six personnel were killed in action.
“Kindly note that the names of killed in action personnel are withheld to allow administrative procedures of notifying their next of kin be concluded. Accordingly, the media is requested to respect the process, please.
“On the whole, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation. Accordingly, troops remain committed to the course of defeating the terrorists,” the statement reads.
