•Military closes Borno major highway

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

The military on Friday closed a major highway in Borno, after a deadly, coordinated attack by Boko Haram, which led to the death of four soldiers, with five injured.

Boko Haram was targeting the military Super Camp at Ngamdu, a town along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway in the early hours of Friday.

Spokesman of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, in a statement said the terrorists used Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) armed drones, and Improvised Explosive Devices initiated by their command against troops and military platforms.

“Unfortunately, own troops recorded 4 x Killed in Action (KIA) and 5 x Wounded in Action (WIA),” he disclosed.

He said the 29 Task Force Brigade launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations as part of efforts to dominate the area and deny the terrorists freedom of action and consolidating operational gains.

Some military Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks (GTs) were damaged during the encounter, according to the military.

The spokesperson explained that military authorities temporarily closed the road to clear three IED-laden spots.

“The terrorists attempted to prevent reinforcements and inflict further casualties by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR),” he disclosed.