Following a coordinated overnight assault by Boko Haram militants, the Nigerian military on Friday temporarily shut down the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway, one of Borno State’s busiest routes, to clear explosives and secure the area.
The insurgents reportedly launched a surprise attack on the Super Camp in Ngamdu, using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a fierce confrontation that left four soldiers dead and five wounded.
Spokesman for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as “a complex, multi-directional assault”, aimed at overwhelming the military base.
“The terrorists employed RPGs, IEDs, and drone-guided munitions against troops and platforms. Unfortunately, own troops recorded four killed in action and five wounded in action,” Uba said.
He added that troops from the 29 Task Force Brigade swiftly launched counter-offensives, deploying fighting patrols and exploitation operations to neutralise the attackers and reassert control over the corridor.
Several Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and gun trucks were damaged in the encounter, though the military said operational dominance was quickly restored.
The army later confirmed that the temporary road closure was a safety measure to allow engineers to clear three IED-laden points planted by the terrorists along the Ngamdu–Damaturu main supply route to prevent reinforcements.
Security officials said the route has since been reopened following clearance operations and intensified patrols to forestall further ambush attempts.
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