Armed Boko Haram terrorists launched coordinated attacks on military formations in Wajirko, Damboa Local Government Area, and Wulgo village, Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, sources confirmed.
In a separate incident, at least two soldiers were feared dead while others sustained injuries after the convoy of the newly deployed Brigade Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in Damboa LGA struck Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by suspected terrorists. The explosion occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road.
Reports indicate that the new Brigade Commander (name withheld) was among those injured in the attack. This development comes as security agencies push for the reopening of the strategic 185km Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road, which has remained dangerous for years due to insurgent activities.
Troops Dislodged as Terrorists Attack Simultaneously
Sources revealed that Boko Haram insurgents ambushed the army formations in Wajirko and Wulgo on Monday, forcing troops to retreat. However, unconfirmed reports suggest that some of the attackers were neutralized during the confrontation.
The Wulgo army formation, which includes both Nigerian and Cameroonian troops due to the village’s proximity to the Cameroon border, also came under heavy assault.
Senator Ndume Expresses Shock Over Renewed Attacks
Reacting to the escalation of violence in Southern Borno, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) expressed deep concern over the increasing frequency of terrorist attacks in his constituency.
“It is terrible, the renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno, especially in the Southern Borno Senatorial District,” Ndume said.
“As I speak, many communities in Gwoza, Askira-Uba, Chibok, Damboa, Biu, Hawul, and other council areas have been experiencing attacks, destruction, and looting without adequate confrontation from our security forces.”
The senator lamented that these attacks are happening at a time when Governor Babagana Zulum is working to reopen the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road, which connects five major local government areas to the Borno State capital.
“With these renewed attacks, even the only alternative route, the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Biu road, is now unsafe.
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This means that for now, anyone traveling from Biu, Hawul, Shani, Bayo, Kwaya Kusar, and other local government areas to Maiduguri must go through Gombe State, making a journey that should take two hours last over twelve hours due to the closure and insecurity of other routes.”
Call for Advanced Military Strategy and Security Reinforcement
Senator Ndume urged the federal government to adopt a more aggressive approach to counterinsurgency by deploying sophisticated technology, including drones, to combat Boko Haram.
“Just yesterday, Boko Haram terrorists attacked an army formation in Wajirko. Another landmine explosion occurred along the same route, killing soldiers and injuring the Brigade Commander,” he said.
“While the military and security agencies are doing their best, the federal government must wake up and address the root causes of insurgency by deploying advanced technological warfare, including drones, to put an end to this madness.”
He further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to adopt the Train, Equip, Arm, and Motivate (TEAM) approach for the Nigerian military and security agencies to effectively combat terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and other security threats.
“I urge the federal government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, to Train, Equip, Arm, and Motivate (TEAM) the Nigerian military and other security agencies to effectively tackle terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities threatening national security.”
Ndume also raised concerns over renewed kidnappings along the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Biu road, demanding the immediate release of Professor Abubakar El-Jummah, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB), along with others abducted along the route.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, for confirmation were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.