The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of four soldiers in an insurgent attack on the Military Super Camp at Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway.
In a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, the Army said troops successfully repelled the terrorists despite their use of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The statement reads, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade.”
While some reports earlier claimed that eight soldiers had died, the Army clarified that only four personnel were killed and five were injured in the encounter.
According to the Army, the attackers attempted to overwhelm the base but were forced to retreat after suffering heavy losses.
“Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists,” Uba said.
The military disclosed that about 15 bodies of terrorists were later buried around Bula Wura near Wasaram, following mass burials conducted by their comrades.
The statement added that military engineers cleared three IED-laden spots planted along the Ngamdu–Damaturu highway, allowing the road to reopen after being temporarily shut down.
The Army confirmed that mine-resistant vehicles and gun trucks sustained varying degrees of damage during the assault, but supplies of ammunition and spare parts were immediately delivered to sustain operations.
“As part of continued efforts to dominate the area, 29 Task Force Brigade has launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations aimed at denying the terrorists freedom of action,” Uba added.
The Army praised the “gallantry and resilience” of its personnel and assured the public of ongoing measures to keep the road and surrounding communities safe.
Travellers Stranded For Seven Hours
Meanwhile, commuters and motorists faced severe hardship on Thursday after the highway was blocked for more than 7 hours following the attack.
Hundreds of passengers travelling between Maiduguri, Kano, Abuja, and other northern cities were stranded, with some abandoning their trips.
One passenger, Mustapha Yaya, a postgraduate student of the University of Maiduguri, who spoke with The Nation, lamented missing his lectures.
“It’s almost 1 p.m. now, and we are still stuck at Benishik, about 80 kilometres from Maiduguri. I’ve already missed my lectures today,” he said.
A commercial driver, Abdullahi from Kano, disclosed that all his passengers cancelled their journey to Abuja after waiting for hours.
Findings revealed that the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway had remained largely safe from insurgent attacks for over three years until this latest incident.
Some travellers expressed fresh fears about insecurity on the route and urged President Bola Tinubu to guarantee the safety of commuters.
“This is the only safe road we have to Maiduguri. We’ve enjoyed relative peace for years, but this attack has made us anxious again. We’re calling on President Tinubu to secure this highway for travelers,” said a passenger, Abubakar.
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