Boko Haram insurgents invaded a military base in Borno state on Monday, killing at least 28 soldiers.
The insurgents took time and ransacked the military base in Gajiram, Nganzai local government area of the state, with a military source describing it as one of the deadliest in 2019.
The military source said the attack is believed to have been coordinated by the faction of Boko Haram being controlled by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), adding that the insurgents carted away ammunition, seized military trucks and abducted some of his colleagues, TheCable reports.
“It looks as if ISIS has taken a new interest in our country. The way these people have been taking us on is surprising,” the source said.
“This Monday attack was very serious. We fought for more than three hours before we ran out of ammunition. They used that opening to kill our many and seize many weapons.
“Many of our soldiers were taken hostage by the terrorists who did not touch anybody in the community because we were their target. They only looted foodstuff.”
Another military source claimed the remains of 15 soldiers were recovered on the spot while the rest were found after the insurgents had left, stressing that some of the deceased officers died while fleeing the attack.
The source added that at 9 pm on Monday, a reinforcement team was sent from Monguno, still in Borno, to evacuate the remains of the soldiers.
