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BREAKING: Boko Haram Sacks Two Military Bases In Borno

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Boko Haram sacked two military bases in northeast Nigeria overnight as the jihadist fighters battle for control of a strategic town on Lake Chad, military sources said Thursday.

Jihadists from the IS-supported Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) overran a naval base and a multinational joint task force (MNJTF) post in the fishing town of Baga after a fierce battle, the sources told AFP.

Boko Haram has repeatedly struck military outposts in the region in recent months.

Fighters in several vehicles stormed Baga, Borno State, and engaged troops in intense fighting at the MNJTF base which hosts units from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

The insurgents also sacked a naval base in Mile 3 which lies five kilometres from Baga, a military source who asked not to be identified told AFP.

“The troops were overpowered and forced to withdraw,” the source, adding that “the terrorists carted away gun trucks, ammunition and multiple rocket launchers from the base.”

Troops from the two bases withdrew to another naval base at Fish Dam on the shores of Lake Chad, the military source said.

That base was well secured, and resisted several attempts by Boko Haram fighters to overrun it, the source added.

The jihadists then retreated and the troops decided not to pursue them to avoid running into an ambush, a strategy Boko Haram often employs against the military, the officer said.

Nigerian army spokesman Sani Usman confirmed the attack in a statement which said the assault began at about 7:00 pm local time (1800 GMT).

“The troops along with their Nigerian Navy counterparts put up a very determined fight” all night, he said, adding that one navy personnel was killed.

Troop reinforcements were in pursuit of the Boko Haram fighters, he said.

Residents of the regional capital Maiduguri reported seeing six fighter jets flying towards Baga on Thursday.

In January 2015, Boko Haram overran the MNJTF base and took control of Baga after killing hundreds of residents and forcing thousands to flee to Maiduguri.

The town was later retaken, but jihadists continue to attack the military and civilians in the area, which is an ISWAP stronghold.

Its fighters occupy camps on many islands in Lake Chad.

Boko Haram’s nine-year insurgency has killed 27,000 people and displaced two million others, sparking a dire humanitarian crisis in the region.

The fighting has also spilled into Nigeria’s northern neighbours Chad, Niger and Cameroon, according to AFP report.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, in its update on Boko Haram terrorists attack on Headquarters 7 Brigade MNJTF Baga denied the damage inflicted by the terrorists.

It claimed the Nigerian Air Force [NAF] component was mobilised and sent the terrorists fleeing.

The statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman on 27th December, reads:

Please recall that yesterday, Wednesday 26th December 2018 suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked the headquarters of 7 Brigade Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Baga, Borno State, at about 7.00pm.

The troops along with their Nigerian Navy counterparts put up a very determined fight to repel the attack throughout the night, while Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE sent in reinforcement who are in hot pursuit of the terrorists.

Similarly, a Search and Rescue team has been constituted.

The Nigerian Air Force component has also been mobilised and are engaging the fleeing terrorists. Unfortunately, a naval personnel was killed in action.

So far, no further details of casualties yet as efforts are ongoing to clear the terrorists hiding in Baga and environs.

We enjoin all to remain calm as the troops conduct clearance and mop up operations.

We implore members of the general public to disregard any contrary information circulating on the attack.

We will keep you posted with development on the pursuit and mop up operations.

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