Tragedy struck in Izge village, Gwoza local government area of Borno state, when a violent Boko Haram attack led to the deaths of at least two Nigerian military officers, including a Captain and a Corporal. The deadly clash, which occurred around 1 a.m. on Monday, also resulted in the neutralization of several Boko Haram militants.
The attackers, armed with Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), targeted the ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ platoon stationed in the village. A fierce gunfight ensued, lasting for several hours, as local residents, alongside vigilantes and hunters, rallied to support the military, ultimately repelling the assailants.
The village, situated just 20 km southwest of Gwoza and deep within the Sambisa forest region, has been a hotspot for Boko Haram activities. This incident follows a similar raid just weeks ago on military formations in Wajirko and Wulgo, which also resulted in severe casualties for the troops.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, condemned the persistent Boko Haram onslaughts in the region and urged the federal government to adopt advanced technological warfare, including drone use, to combat the insurgency effectively.
One Izge resident recounted the harrowing experience, explaining that while the military’s response was swift, the terrorists managed to evacuate their fallen comrades after the battle. Despite the chaos, many of the terrorists were killed in the clash.
Ndume praised the resilience of the villagers, highlighting their courage in helping the military forces push back the attackers and recover looted arms. He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to better equip and motivate the military and other security forces to tackle the ongoing security challenges.
Local authorities confirmed the incident, but further details on military casualties were not immediately available as efforts to reach police officials for comment were unsuccessful.
