Suspected Boko Haram fighters have reportedly attacked a military position in Mairari community, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, raising concerns over possible casualties among troops.
The attack reportedly began around midnight on Tuesday and lasted for more than two hours, according to sources familiar with the incident.
Although the number of casualties remains unknown, local accounts suggest that several soldiers may have been killed during the prolonged exchange of gunfire. However, the reported figures have not been independently verified.
The Chairman of Guzamala Local Government Area, Umar Sheriff, confirmed the incident to journalists on Wednesday, saying the attackers had targeted the military position. He added that there were no reports of civilian deaths.
Sheriff said he could not provide an accurate casualty figure because information about the incident was still emerging and some details remained restricted for security reasons.
“The incident occurred last night around 12 am. Though I don’t have statistics regarding the casualties yet, because it’s not everything we are told. It’s a security matter. But I know that no civilian was killed”.
The chairman described the assault as unusually intense, noting that Mairari and neighbouring communities had not experienced an attack of similar magnitude in recent times.
He said the troops were able to repel the attackers and prevent them from taking control of the military position.
“They have never attacked as much as this time, but thank God, the military were able to repel them,” Sheriff said.
Despite the reported resistance by the troops, the extent of the damage to the military facility and the number of personnel who may have been killed or injured remain unclear.
The incident has reportedly heightened tension in Mairari, with residents expressing concern following the overnight gun battle.
A local source, who requested anonymity, said unconfirmed reports circulating in the community suggested that seven soldiers might have been killed. The source, however, stressed that the figure had not been verified.
“I know there are military casualties. It was rumoured that seven soldiers were killed, but no one could verify that yet,” the source said.
Another source suggested that the intensity of the confrontation may have resulted in casualties among the attackers as well.
“That attack left the entire town in tension. With the gunfire yesterday, there is no way that the terrorists will not suffer casualties. Both local forces and the military stood their ground,” the source said.
Sheriff said calm had returned to the community following the confrontation. He added that he planned to visit Mairari on Thursday morning to assess the situation and obtain further information about the attack.
“The situation is calm. I will be there tomorrow morning (Thursday) to evaluate the situation,” he said.
Goodness Anunobi
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