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BORNO – Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents unleashed coordinated midnight assaults on key military formations in Borno State. The violent attacks targeted Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area, and Gajiram town in Nganzai LGA. These latest Borno military base attacks signal a disturbing escalation of violence in the troubled North-East. Rann lies close to the Cameroon border, while Gajiram is a strategic town 82 km from Maiduguri.
Troops Battle Insurgents in Fierce Encounters
Armed with heavy weaponry, the terrorists made a determined attempt to overwhelm the 3 Battalion stationed in Rann. Brave troops under Operation Hadin Kai fought back, ultimately repelling the attackers. However, the victory came at a cost. An unnamed security source grimly reported, “The Rann attack on the military formation left five soldiers dead, while six were wounded in action.” This stark outcome from the military base attacks highlights the persistent threat.
In Gajiram, soldiers mounted a determined tactical defense. Their resistance successfully forced the invading insurgents into a retreat. These synchronized strikes occurred just hours after another brazen attack in Marte. There, insurgents had previously stormed a base, killing several soldiers and seizing arms and ammunition.
“Almost Catastrophic”: Locals Recount Terror
The intensity of the Rann assault was described as “almost catastrophic” by one local resident. Speaking anonymously due to safety concerns, the resident recounted how the militants “nearly overran the base before backup arrived.” Both Rann and Gajiram have tragically become frequent targets for such assaults in recent months. Past incidents often saw insufficient resistance, deepening the sense of fear and insecurity among the local population following these military base attacks.
Governor Zulum Alarmed, Calls for Urgent Federal Backup Grow
The increasing audacity of the insurgents has alarmed Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, who strongly condemned the latest wave of violence. His concerns echo growing calls from other leaders for immediate and stronger federal intervention. The Senate Chief Whip, who represents Borno North, recently made an urgent appeal for the Federal Government to organize a national security summit, warning, “The situation in the North East demands immediate attention.”
As of this report, military authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding these specific Borno military base attacks.
By Abiodun Labi
