Troops of the 149 Battalion have repelled an ambush by suspected ISWAP terrorists after two command-detonated improvised explosive device (IED) attacks targeted a military escort convoy in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the first incident occurred at about 2:15 p.m. on June 29 when troops escorting a convoy to Kareto encountered a command-detonated IED planted by suspected terrorists at Grema Kauri Village.
The sources said the explosion left the Commanding Officer of the 149 Battalion, Lt.-Col. E.P. Isah, with minor injuries.
According to the sources, at about 2:55 p.m. on the same day, while escorting 16 empty humanitarian logistics trucks on the return journey, the convoy struck another command-detonated IED at Gambo Kurumuri Village in the same local government area.
The second explosion was immediately followed by an ambush mounted by the terrorists.
The troops, however, fought through the ambush with superior firepower, cleared the terrorists’ positions and pursued the fleeing insurgents during subsequent exploitation of the area.
During the attack, one civilian truck driver was killed, while another civilian sustained minor injuries.
One humanitarian logistics truck was also damaged in the incident.
Following the successful clearance of the route, the convoy of humanitarian trucks was handed over to troops of the 109 Special Forces Battalion in Magumeri for onward movement to Maiduguri.
The escort troops subsequently returned safely to their base.
Security sources said the incident underscores the continued use of command-detonated IEDs and coordinated ambush tactics by ISWAP/JAS terrorists targeting military movements and humanitarian supply routes in the North-East.
They added that troops remain committed to securing critical supply corridors and sustaining offensive operations to degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist groups across the theatre.
By: Zagazola Makama
