Nigerian Army confirms ISWAP ambush in Borno, casualties, denies commander’s capture

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that its troops from the 25 Task Force Brigade successfully fought off an ambush by Islamic State West Africa Province(ISWAP) fighters in Borno State.

The attack occurred on Friday around 5pm near Sabon Gari along the dangerous Damboa-Biu highway as the troops were returning from a patrol.

According to a statement from Acting Army Public Relations Director Appolonia Anele,the patrol team, led by Brigadier General M. Uba, came under sudden and heavy fire from concealed insurgents.

The troops responded with “superior firepower,” forcing the terrorists to retreat.

Tragically, the encounter resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

Following the ambush, reports circulated online claiming that Brigadier General Uba had been abducted.

The Nigerian Army has, however, firmly denied claims, labeling that its Commander was captured, describing it as “false and misleading.”

The statement clarified that the Brigade Commander led the counter-attack and was never captured.

A CJTF operative confirmed the casualties and added that the insurgents made off with several security force motorcycles.

A Damboa resident described the patrol column, which included two Hilux vans, two armoured personnel carriers, and multiple motorcycles, and noted that reinforcements were dispatched from Damboa after the attack.

The remains of the slain CJTF operatives were reportedly transported to Maiduguri for burial according to Islamic rites.

The Army high command extended its condolences to the families of the deceased.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was quoted saluting the “uncommon bravery, resilience, and sacrifice of the gallant troops,” highlighting their commitment in one of the country’s most dangerous conflict zones.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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