By Ado Oyeyemi
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have razed a police outpost, a primary healthcare centre and two classrooms in Logomani community, Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, following a coordinated attack that also targeted a military base in the area.
The assault, which occurred late Tuesday night, came shortly after the terrorists launched an attack on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Logomani, where one soldier was confirmed killed during the fierce gun battle.
Residents said the attackers fired sporadically into the community, forcing people to flee before setting several public facilities ablaze.
Confirming the incident, the Acting Military Information Officer of the Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, said troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base successfully repelled the coordinated assault by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.
According to him, the insurgents briefly breached part of the base’s defensive perimeter during the exchange of gunfire, but the troops quickly reorganised and launched a counteroffensive that forced the attackers to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
Goni disclosed that one soldier lost his life in the encounter, while two military gun trucks and some combat equipment sustained damage.
He added that the military has since reinforced the base, while exploitation operations are ongoing to strengthen security and prevent further attacks.
Residents who witnessed the incident described the attack as well-coordinated, claiming the gunmen encountered little resistance before moving into the community.
One resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the insurgents overpowered the troops before setting fire to two classrooms in a primary school, a police outpost and a healthcare facility.
A local security source disclosed that a combined team of military personnel, police officers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force immediately launched a pursuit of the fleeing attackers after the incident, although the suspects had already escaped a considerable distance.
Efforts to obtain comments from the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Ngala Local Government Area, Mala Tijjani Ngala, visited Logomani on Wednesday to assess the level of destruction caused by the attack.
During the visit, the council chairman inspected the burnt police outpost, primary healthcare centre and damaged school buildings.
He assured residents that the outcome of the assessment would be forwarded to the Borno State Government to facilitate urgent intervention and reconstruction of the affected public facilities.
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Ngala also appealed to residents to remain calm and continue cooperating with security agencies as efforts to improve security in the area continue.
