Boko Haram launches fresh deadly attack, kills 2 soldiers, civilians

Suspected Boko Haram fighters have carried out a deadly night-time assault on Yamtake, a recently resettled village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and multiple civilians.

The attack occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, according to accounts from both military and civilian sources. Witnesses said the insurgents initially launched an offensive against a military post in Yamtake before advancing into the community.

A military officer, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, confirmed the casualties but urged caution pending an update from reinforcement units deployed to the scene. “We are waiting for the reinforcement team to return, but we learnt that two of our men and other civilians were affected. I advise we wait until they return,” the source said.

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Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, described the incident as both “unfortunate” and “devastating,” noting that Yamtake had only recently been resettled by state authorities.

“It is very sad that two soldiers paid the supreme price, while an unspecified number of innocent civilians were among the casualties. May their gentle souls rest in peace,” Ndume lamented.

Despite the tragedy, Ndume commended military personnel for preventing a broader attack on Gwoza town. “I was reliably informed that the attackers, after wreaking havoc in Yamtake, made an attempt to infiltrate Gwoza town, but the troops played a gallant role to repel the attack,” he said.

He also praised Brigadier General Nasir Abdullahi and his team at the 26 Task Force Brigade for their resilience and tactical strategies, saying their efforts have helped to avert further assaults on the region.

However, the Senator voiced alarm over the frequency of insurgent strikes across Borno, highlighting recent incidents in various senatorial districts. He urged for immediate, robust security measures and advocated for the creation of an Armed Community Defence force to bolster local efforts.

“The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters, and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they are limited, as they only carry den guns and sticks, making it difficult to confront the terrorists,” he said.

Ndume reiterated his call for a comprehensive security framework he refers to as “TEAAM”—an acronym for Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, and Motivation—as a pathway to ending the region’s prolonged insurgency.

Thursday’s attack adds to a spate of recent violent incidents in Borno. On April 12, eight passengers were killed and over 17 injured when a commercial vehicle struck a landmine along the Damboa-Maiduguri road. Earlier, on January 24, Boko Haram insurgents stormed a military base in Malam Fatori, killing 22 soldiers. Another deadly raid took place on March 24 at the Wajiroko and Wulgo bases, leaving four soldiers dead.

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