Boko Haram fighters have reportedly killed at least five
soldiers during attacks on military bases in Borno state.
According to Reuters, the insurgents attacked the base of
the 24 Task Force Brigade in the Dikwa area of Borno in the early hours of
Tuesday.
The report quoted two soldiers as saying that Boko Haram
fighters flew two surveillance drones around the base before the attack.
“We responded effectively this time, with the Nigerian Air
Force providing support to pursue them. We killed many of them,” a soldier
involved in the battle told the publication via telephone.
The insurgents also reportedly attacked the third battalion
base in the Rann area of Kala Balge district, which is 65 kilometres from
Dikwa.
A Kala Balge district official told Reuters that at least
five soldiers were killed while four sustained gunshot wounds during the
attack.
Security sources said the insurgents razed a mine-resistant
vehicle, a gun truck, and a Russian-made T-72 tank.
The insurgents were said to have retreated when air force
fighter jets arrived.
Markus Kangye, director of defence media operations, did not
respond to calls and messages sent to him seeking information about the attack
at the time of filing this report.
This is the second attack at military bases within the last
48 hours.
On Monday, at least five soldiers were killed in another
attack at a military base in Marte town.
Over the past few months, there has been a resurgence of
terrorist attacks in Borno.
Recently, Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, ordered
the ban on the sale of petrol in filling stations across Bama LGA to address
security challenges.
