Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked a military formation in Mairari community, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, with some soldiers feared killed.
The attack reportedly occurred around midnight on Tuesday and lasted for more than two hours, according to local sources.
Sources familiar with the incident said that casualties were feared among both the military and the attackers, although the exact number of people killed or injured had yet to be confirmed.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Chairman of Guzamala Local Government Area, Umar Sheriff, said the attackers specifically targeted the military post and that no civilian casualties had been reported.
“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,” Sheriff said.
He described the attack as a major incident, noting that the community had not experienced an assault of such magnitude in recent times.
“They have never attacked as much as this time, but thank God, the military were able to repel them,” he added.
The council chairman said the situation had returned to calm, adding that he planned to visit the community on Thursday to assess the situation.
“The situation is calm. I will be there tomorrow morning (Thursday) to evaluate the situation,” he stated.
Meanwhile, local sources, who requested anonymity, said there were casualties on both sides.
One source claimed that soldiers were among those affected, although reports of seven military personnel being killed remained unverified.
“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 familiar with the incident said the attack had created tension across the community.
As of the time of filing this report, the military had not publicly confirmed the number of casualties resulting from the attack.
