ISWAP attacks army base and destroys public facilities in Borno

Suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a Forward Operating Base in Logomani, Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State. They killed a soldier and set fire to a police post, a primary healthcare centre, and two classrooms, according to the military and local residents.

The attack happened late Tuesday night. It comes while military operations against insurgents continue in the North-east.

In a statement on Thursday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Mohammed Goni, said troops at the Forward Operating Base successfully fought off what he called a coordinated attack.

Though the attackers briefly broke through part of the base's defenses during the fighting, troops regrouped and forced them to fall back after causing casualties, Mr Goni, a lieutenant-colonel, said.

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

The military also mentioned that reinforcements had been sent to the base. They are currently working on operations and measures to strengthen its defenses.

However, residents said the attackers also destroyed public facilities after confronting the troops. A resident, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, told PUNCH that the gunmen entered the community after the fighting and set fire to the police post, primary healthcare centre, and two classrooms.

"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 post and a hospital, which they burnt down," the resident said.

PREMIUM TIMES could not verify the resident’s claim that the attackers "overpowered" the troops. But the military confirmed that the attackers temporarily breached part of the Forward Operating Base's defenses before being driven back.

A local security source said a combined team of soldiers, police officers, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force chased after the fleeing attackers following the assault.

The Chairman of Ngala Local Government Area, Mala Ngala, visited Logomani on Wednesday to see the destruction for himself. During his visit, he inspected the burnt police post, primary healthcare centre, and classrooms. He said he would forward the findings to the Borno State Government for help.

He also urged residents to stay calm and keep working with security agencies.

This latest attack shows that frontline communities in northern Borno are still vulnerable despite ongoing military actions against insurgent groups. It also comes as Operation HADIN KAI reported other recent successes. These include rescuing abductees, the surrender of suspected ISWAP members, and the arrest of people supplying logistics for terrorists in parts of Borno and Adamawa states.