Military kills 20 Insurgents, Foils Attack On Damboa

Military kills 20 insurgents, foils attack on Damboa

– as COAS assures to intensify fight against Insurgency

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri.

The Nigerian military under the Northeast Joint Operation Hadin Kai repelled members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram on Damboa town, killing 16 insurgents.

A resident of Damboa, Mallam Ishaku told Daily Hint correspondent that the attack occurred at about 1:00 am on Thursday, when the terrorists tried to infiltrate the town targeting the 25 Task Force Brigade located in Damboa.

“We were sleeping in the night when we heard a gunshot all over the town, we could not come. The gun battle continued until 8am this Friday morning We thank God with the combine efforts of the Nigerian Army and the fighter jet they were able to successfully repelled the attack, killing over 20 insurgents but unfortunately we lost 8 civilians due to stray bullet”, he said.

He said” As i am speaking we are just coming back from the burial of 5 of our neighbours. Normalcy has returned to the town but the military has restricted movement in and out of the town.

Also a security sources from Damboa said, the troops supported by air interdictions from the Air Component Command, engaged the terrorists in a battle that lasted over two hours repelled the attack.

“The insurgents tried to infiltrate the town targeting the military formation in Damboa, where they attacked en masse. But thank God we responded and delt with them decisively where several insurgents were neutralized ,”the sources said.

Similarly the troops also repelled attack on Gajibo and Dike town in Dikwa local government area of Borno state yesterday night.

Gajibo, is a village located between Dikwa and Ngala, where the insurgents stormed the village at about 11:30 pm, where they engaged in gun duel with the troops.

Meanwhile, the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Army under his leadership would in the next coming of weeks induct more Combat Enablers (CEs) into its operations in order to end menace of Boko Haram/ISWAP, banditry, kidnappings and other form of criminalities in the country.

Speaking during a closing ceremony at the end of 3-Day 2025 COAS First Bi-Annual Conference which took place at the Command Guest House, Maimalari Cantonment, on Friday, he said, that there is the need to understand that the strength of the Nigerian Army does not solely lie in the weapons they place on the battlefield, but more in the will of gallant soldiers who wield them.

It could be recalled that the event which had robust engagement was attended by top Army brass, including Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Commanding Officers and heads of various Army formations across the country.

“You will recall that i stated in my address yesterday that this gathering was to afford participants the opportunity to identify areas for improvement and proffer practical solutions that will strengthen our effectiveness in securing our nation.”, General Oluyede said.

He said, it is worthy to note that the depth of discourse and clarity of thought expressed during our sessions reflected the intellectual rigour and strategic foresight required to thrust the Nigerian Army into a future filled with unprecedented possibilities. ”

The COAS said”I therefore make bold to say that the objectives of this First Bi-Annual Conference have largely been achieved judging by the well-articulated inputs and contributions that have surpassed my expectations, as concerted efforts will be made to implement these suggested measures in our current and future engagements.”

“As a fallout of our deliberations, the Nigerian Army will in the coming weeks, induct more combat enablers into our operations.However, we need to understand that the strength of the Nigerian Army does not solely lie in the weapons we place on the battlefield, but more in the will of our soldiers who wield them”, he added.

The Army Chief said” Accordingly, it behoves on everyone seated here to show exemplary leadership, to mentor and guide the next generation on the right path. We will play our role and there will come a time where it will be their turn to take the reins of leadership at every level. Hence, our actions today, will resonate in the future and our achievements will form the foundation of their beginning. ”

“Today, we are faced with an adversary that threatens the very fabric of our socio- cultural heritage, they seek to disrupt our way of life and destroy the society that our forefathers built.

“We will not allow such to happen. There is no contesting our decision to completely neutralize these detractors to peace. Thus, I charge each and every officer and soldier to spare no quarter in running these terrorists and criminals to the ground”. He stated.

The COAS therefore commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, some state governors, top Army officers and soldiers, paramilitary and other security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and all stakeholders for their unwavering support to ensure peace, security and development of the entire nation.

He also lauded the organizers of the Conference and the Chief Host, who is also the Theatre Commander, North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar for their tireless efforts which led to successful engagement.

Highlight of the closing ceremony was presentation of Awards and Souvenirs to some Major Generals, Commanding Officers and Heads of various Army Formations/Institutions who have distinguished themselves in the course of discharging their mandates to their fatherland.