Army Confirms Four Soldiers Killed, 15 Insurgents Neutralised in Ngamdu Attack

Highway shut for hours as troops repel coordinated assault, travellers stranded for seven hours

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of four soldiers following a coordinated terrorist attack on the Military Super Camp in Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway, on Wednesday night.

In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Army said the troops successfully repelled the attack launched by insurgents using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

> “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade,” the statement read.

While some early reports claimed that eight soldiers were killed, the Army clarified that four personnel lost their lives and five others sustained injuries during the fierce encounter.

According to the statement, the insurgents made several attempts to overrun the base but were forced to retreat after encountering heavy resistance from the troops.

> “Despite the intensity of the attack, our troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists,” Uba said.

He added that ground reconnaissance later confirmed that about 15 bodies of terrorists were buried around Bula Wura near Wasaram, following hurried burials conducted by their comrades.

The Army further disclosed that its engineers cleared three IED-laden spots planted along the Ngamdu–Damaturu highway, allowing the route to reopen after being temporarily shut down for safety.

Although some mine-resistant vehicles and gun trucks sustained varying degrees of damage, the Army stated that immediate resupply of ammunition and spare parts was carried out to sustain ongoing operations.

> “As part of continued efforts to dominate the area, 29 Task Force Brigade has launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations aimed at denying the terrorists freedom of action,” Uba added.

The statement commended the “gallantry and resilience” of the troops and assured the public of sustained efforts to ensure the safety of the highway and surrounding communities.

Meanwhile, hundreds of travellers were stranded for over seven hours on Thursday following the temporary closure of the Damaturu–Maiduguri highway after the attack.

Commuters plying the route between Maiduguri, Kano, and Abuja were forced to wait in the scorching heat, with some abandoning their journeys.

A postgraduate student of the University of Maiduguri, Mustapha Yaya, told Daily Trust that he missed his lectures as a result of the delay.

> “It’s almost 1 p.m. now, and we are still stuck at Benishik, about 80 kilometres from Maiduguri. I’ve already missed my lectures today,” he said.

A commercial driver, Abdullahi from Kano, said all his passengers cancelled their trips to Abuja after waiting for hours without progress.

Findings revealed that the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway had remained largely safe from insurgent attacks for more than three years until this latest incident, which has sparked renewed fear among travellers.

Some commuters appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate steps to secure the route and restore confidence in road travel within the region.

> “This is the only safe road we have to Maiduguri. We’ve enjoyed peace for years, but this attack has made us anxious again. We are calling on President Tinubu to guarantee the safety of travellers,” a passenger, Abubakar, said.

Security experts believe the Ngamdu attack may be part of renewed attempts by insurgent elements to reassert control in parts of the Yobe–Borno axis, a development they warn could signal fresh security challenges in the Northeast as the dry season approaches.