A brigadier general, who is a commander in the Nigerian army, was ambushed by fighters from the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) province in Borno State.
According to Daily Trust, four other soldiers were killed in the incident in Bulguma, a few kilometers from the town of Askira in the local government area of ​​Askira Uba.
SaharaReporters previously reported that suspected ISWAP fighters engaged troops at an LGA military base in Askira / Uba in a shootout.
Some civilians said they saw ISWAP fighters in a long convoy of armed trucks along the Ngude Axis towards Askira early this morning.
Civilians claimed to have reported the movement of terrorists to security forces, but no action was taken until the murderous group stormed the town of Askira hours later.
While confirming the attacks, Engr Abdullahi Musa Askira, deputy speaker of the Borno House Assembly, said insurgents and troops were currently exchanging gunfire.
“Yes, ISWAP is currently attacking the town of Askira. I have been reliably informed that our troops are fighting them, but the locals are in the bush.
“My people told me that the insurgents came with about 16 armed trucks and now there is confusion all over town,” Askira said.
It was established that troops from Task Force 28th Brigade, Chibok, had mobilized to provide reinforcements to Askira, which was under attack.
The troops were ambushed as they were on their way to provide support to the soldiers fighting the insurgents.
“It’s a sad day for us in the theater of war; we have lost the Brigadier Commandant (names withheld). The brigadier general and the soldiers who were on their way to support our troops in Askira were ambushed and shot dead by ISWAP fighters. We are sad, â€said a security source.
Civilian Joint Task Force member Yakubu Luka said that immediately the attackers stormed the town, they surrendered to the military base.
“We are awaiting reinforcement from the neighboring community, as I speak to you, heavy gunfire continues.”
“We call on the authorities to send fighter jets to support the soldiers on the ground. We are outnumbered; we only have five gun trucks with us. Yakubu said.
