A wave of tension swept through Ngamdu in Borno State after suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly attack on a military base in the early hours of Friday.
According to eyewitness accounts, the insurgents, in large numbers, stormed the base located along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway, engaging Nigerian troops in a heavy exchange of gunfire that lasted for several hours.
Travellers and commercial drivers reported that the busy highway was temporarily blocked as soldiers battled to regain control of the area. The road remained closed until around 11:20 a.m., leaving commuters stranded and uncertain about their safety.
“I left Damaturu very early hoping to arrive in Maiduguri by 9 a.m., but when I got to Ngamdu, the road was closed,” a traveller told reporters.
“Security officers asked us to be patient, saying there was a problem on the road. Later, we heard that Boko Haram had attacked soldiers and killed some of them,” he added.
Local sources said the insurgents launched a surprise attack on the camp, catching soldiers off guard.
“The fight lasted for hours before the insurgents retreated. Some soldiers were killed, and others were injured,” one source said.
However, a senior security officer dismissed reports of heavy casualties, confirming that the troops successfully repelled the ambush.
“Our soldiers fought gallantly and overpowered the terrorists. Some soldiers were wounded and have been taken to the hospital, but several insurgents were also neutralized,” he stated.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
