Boko Haram: Maiduguri-Damaturu road reopens after temporary closure

By: Bodunrin Kayode 

The Maiduguri-Damaturu road, the only exit from the Borno state capital, has been opened to commuters after a temporary shutdown today after improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were planted against Nigerian troops.

The IEDs were set at the wee hours of the day when insurgents launched a fierce attack on the Ngamdu military base, causing damage to the general area for at least an hour.

Just before the first light of Friday, reinforcements were coming from Mainoc and Beneshiek but drove directly on top of IEDs, which the insurgents had planted before their aggression against the Ngamdu camp.

By first light, hundreds of commuters and their vehicles were already trapped at the exit point in Damaturu en route to Maiduguri as a result of the wee-hour attack on the base, while those coming from Maiduguri were also affected.

Those coming from Damaturu were stopped from embarking on the journey; one knows his/her fate, and no one is sure as to when the ever-busy road will reopen for free flow of traffic. 

Some of the troops were feared killed even as the suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked the military base, which was a super camp expresswayin the Kaga local government area of Borno State.

A military source hinted that troops fought back for over an hour to stop the terrorists from overrunning the camp before 4 am, when the fracas reduced. 

Meanwhile, security sources said the insurgents operated for over an hour before the arrival of reinforcements.

The attack was a coordinated attack that involved a high number of criminals.

Responding to the incident, the spokesman for the 7th Division, Lieutenant Colonel Uba, stated that the attack has been successfully repelled by the military. 

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in the Ngamdu general area, following a swift response by forces on the ground and reinforcement elements from 29 Task Force Brigade.

“The terrorists employed Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), armed drones, and command-initiated Improvised Explosive Devices, targeting troops and own platforms. 

“Despite the intensity of the attack, troops held their ground and responded with superior firepower, inflicting significant losses on the terrorists.  Unfortunately, our own troops recorded 4 x Killed in Action (KIA) and 5 x Wounded in Action (WIA). Additionally, some Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Gun Trucks (GTs) sustained varying degrees of damage during the encounter.

“The terrorists attempted to prevent reinforcements and inflict further casualties by planting multiple IEDs along the Ngamdu–Damaturu Main Supply Route (MSR). This necessitated a temporary closure of the MSR, as engineers swiftly responded to clear 3 IED-laden spots. Following successful clearance, the MSR has now been reopened to both military and civilian movement.

“In response to the attack, troops were immediately resupplied with critical logistics, including MRAP tires and ammunition, to sustain operations and restore full mobility. Credible intelligence confirms heavy terrorist casualties, with reports indicating mass burials of about 15 bodies conveyed in pushcarts by the terrorists for burial around Bula Wura, near Wasaram.

“As part of continued efforts to dominate the area, 29 Task Force Brigade has launched fighting patrols and exploitation operations aimed at denying the terrorists freedom of action and consolidating operational gains.

“The gallantry and resilience of the troops have been commended, and the public has been assured that normalcy would be sustained with operations ongoing to maintain peace and security in the area.” Said Uba Sani.

Boko Haram: Maiduguri-Damaturu road reopens after temporary closure

Borno State Councillors endorse Tinubu/Kashim for a second term

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The forum of Councillors in Borno State have endorsed the enthronement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term

The Councillors all from the All Progressive Congress (APC) gave the endorsement during a news conference in Maiduguri on Friday led by their Chairman of the Forum Kellum Geshehu.

While endorsing the Tinubu-Shettima Ticket for 2027, they said that they were pleased with the developmental projects of President Bola Tinubu and their son Senator Kashim Shetima who they say equally deserves a second term for pleasing the masses with basic dividends.

They maintained that as grassroot politicians who understood the pains of the masses especially when the subsidies were removed, it was clear that the economic policies applied by the party at the National level has given rise to massive production of foodstuffs and the reduction of prices of basic staples which before now were beyond the reach of a lot of people.

“We also express our profound satisfaction with the progress of the Government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu. We see the Renewed Hope Initiative gradually yielding fruits for Nigerians.

“We specifically thank Mr. President for the confidence and trust in our son, His Excellency, Vice President Sen. KashimShettima, who has proven to be a dedicated, loyal, and capable partner in development.

“Therefore, the Borno State Supervisory Councillors Forum unanimously endorse the Tinubu-Shettima ticket for the 2027 Presidential election. We strongly support the President to retain Vice President Sen. KashimShettima as mate for the 2027 Presidential ticket, ensuring continuity and socio-economic gains currently being achieved in our great country.”

The councillors gave the endorsement based on the fact that the APC party under Professor Babagana Zulum has been doing well in his second term in Borno state following in the footsteps of the party at the national level.

They named sectors like Agriculture, education and the health sector as major areas of achievement of the academic turned politician Governor Babagana Zulum who has been a trailblazer in developmental projects in the state.

Borno State Councillors endorse Tinubu/Kashim for a second term

Boko Haram, ISWAP reconcile with Bakoura Doro faction in North-East, forge alliance

By: Zagazola Makama

In a major development that could reshape the security landscape in the North-East, Boko Haram and the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) have reconciled with the Bakoura Doro faction after years of bloody rivalry.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the reconciliation, according to credible intelligence marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the insurgency that has ravaged Borno and neighbouring states for over a decade.

Boko Haram, officially known as Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da’wa wa al-Jihad (JAS), and ISWAP reportedly reached a truce with the Bakoura Doro group on Thursday, after weeks of internal negotiations aimed at consolidating their fighting strength and realigning their operational commands.

However, ISWAP leaders maintained their position of hostility toward the Abubakar Shekau faction, now under the command of Ali Ngulde, whose loyalists are entrenched in the Mandara Mountains along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.

According to field sources, ISWAP commanders used the meeting to warn their fighters against indiscriminate killings of local residents, citing the incident in Kirawa where innocent civilians were executed in error.

The group reiterated that attacks should only target government-backed militias and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), whom they accused of bearing arms against them.

Despite this rhetoric of restraint, both ISWAP and Boko Haram factions vowed to intensify their campaign of violence, with Boko Haram operatives under Bakoura Doro reportedly planning a renewed wave of kidnappings-for-ransom and bloodletting in vulnerable communities across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

Security analysts view this reconciliation as a troubling development that could embolden the insurgents to regroup, and coordinate large-scale attacks against both military and civilian targets.

“The reconciliation between ISWAP and Bakoura Doro’s faction effectively closes one of the key internal cracks that previously weakened the insurgency. It allows them to pool resources, fighters, and logistics, which may translate to renewed offensives, particularly in border areas and ungoverned spaces.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military continues to sustain pressure on terrorist enclaves through coordinated land and air operations, with the goal of preventing the insurgents from re-establishing control over liberated territories.

As the insurgents’ alliance solidifies, analysts caution that Nigeria and its regional partners must strengthen intelligence sharing, border control, and community engagement to mitigate the security risks posed by this new wave of jihadist consolidation.

Boko Haram, ISWAP reconcile with Bakoura Doro faction in North-East, forge alliance