Armed Boko Haram terrorists have raided the Wajirko army formation in the Damboa local government area and another formation in Wulgo village, Gamboru Ngala local government area, both in Borno State, sources have confirmed. The attack, which occurred on Monday, March 24, led to at least two soldiers feared dead, with others reported injured.
A source told Vanguard that the newly deployed Brigade Commander for ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ in Damboa stepped onto Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and landmines planted by the suspected terrorists along the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road. Among the injured was the Brigade Commander, whose name has been withheld.
The incident occurred just as security agencies were preparing to reopen the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu 185 km road, which had been closed for years due to safety concerns. The terrorists reportedly laid simultaneous ambushes on the Wajirko and Wulgo army formations, which led to the dislodgement of troops. While no official confirmation has been made, unverified reports suggest that some of the terrorists were killed during the encounter.
The Wulgo Army formation is composed of combined troops from Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon. Located near the international border with Cameroon, it serves as a strategic post in the region.
In the wake of these attacks, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) expressed deep concern about the rising violence in Southern Borno. “It is terrible, the renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno, especially in Southern Borno Senatorial District. As I speak, many communities in Gwoza, Askira-Uba, Chibok, Damboa, Biu, Hawul among other council areas have been witnessing a series of attacks, destruction, and looting of property without confrontation by our security forces,” Ndume stated in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
The Senator emphasized the failure of the security forces to effectively combat the insurgency, despite their efforts. “Although the military and other security agencies are doing their best, the federal government should wake up from its slumber to address the root cause of insurgency by deploying sophisticated technological warfare, including drones, to end the madness,” Ndume added.
He further called on the federal government to take more decisive action, urging the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “Train, Equip, Arm, and Motivate (TEAM) the Nigerian military and other security agencies to enable them to face the lingering challenges of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities bedeviling some parts of the North East, North West and the nation in general.”
Senator Ndume also raised concerns over the recent wave of kidnappings along the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Biu road, calling for the immediate release of those still held captive by Boko Haram. “Let me also call on the federal government… to ensure the immediate release of Professor Abubakar El-Jummah, who was recently abducted along with others,” he urged.
The Senator’s remarks follow reports that the Boko Haram terrorists’ attacks have intensified in several parts of Borno, especially Southern Borno, complicating efforts to reopen critical transportation routes, including the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road. The closure of these routes has forced many travelers to take longer and more dangerous detours, exacerbating the challenges faced by the local population.