Suspected ISWAP fighters attack military base in Borno State

Suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province attacked a Forward Operating Base in Logomani, Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, late Tuesday night. The attackers killed one soldier and briefly breached part of the base's defensive perimeter before troops repelled them, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI.

"Regrettably, one gallant soldier paid the supreme sacrifice, while two gun trucks and some combat enablers sustained damage during the engagement," the statement said.

Damage to civilian facilities After the confrontation at the base, the attackers entered the community and set fire to a police outpost, a primary healthcare centre and two classrooms, a resident told PUNCH. "We all left the community during the attack.

The terrorists were very sophisticated. After they overpowered the Army, they entered the school and burnt down two classrooms. They also attacked a police outpost and a hospital, which they burnt down," the resident said. The military confirmed that attackers temporarily breached the base perimeter but said troops forced them to retreat after inflicting casualties.

Response and follow-up Reinforcements have been deployed to the base and exploitation operations are continuing, the military statement said. A combined team of soldiers, police officers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force pursued the fleeing attackers, a local security source said.

The chairman of Ngala Local Government Area visited Logomani on Wednesday to assess the damage and said findings would be forwarded to the Borno State Government for intervention.