Troops of the Nigerian Army have repelled an attempted attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists along the Maiduguri–Damaturu road in Yobe State, forcing the insurgents to flee.
Security sources said the incident occurred in the early hours of April 26 near Kukareta in Damaturu Local Government Area.
According to the sources, troops of the 233 Battalion stationed at Tango 4 location sighted the insurgents advancing toward their position at about 4:30 a.m.
Zagagola Makama reports that the attackers were reportedly mounted on about six gun trucks and several motorcycles and were detected approximately one kilometre from the troops’ location.
The sources said the troops responded promptly with a combination of direct and indirect firepower, overpowering the insurgents.
“The terrorists fled the area under heavy fire from the troops,” one of the sources disclosed.
Following the encounter, troops conducted exploitation of the general area but did not recover any significant items.
The sources added that troops have sustained heightened vigilance in the axis, with intensified patrols and surveillance to prevent further attacks by the insurgents.