The Nigerian Army has confirmed that several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives while resisting a coordinated assault by ISWAP fighters in Mandaragirau, Borno state.
Media Inormation Officer at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Sani Uba disclosed this in a statement detailing separate attacks on Mandaragirau and Pulka late on Saturday.
According to him, insurgents launched a complex operation against troops stationed in Sector 2 at Mandaragirau, deploying gun trucks and motorcycles in what he described as a multi-pronged offensive.
Uba said the military had anticipated the move and positioned combat teams strategically, leading to an intense firefight that ultimately forced the attackers back.
“Troops had tactically emplaced combat teams that decisively engaged the terrorists. Interestingly, the attack was successfully thwarted after a fierce exchange without any breach to the defence of the location,” he said.
He acknowledged casualties on the government side, noting that some personnel made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Regrettably, some gallant personnel and Civilian Joint Task Force members paid the supreme price in the defence of their location, while few soldiers sustained injuries and were immediately evacuated by Air Component of OPHK and the Nigerian Army Aviation platforms.”
