‘Scores of ISWAP fighters’ killed in gun battle with troops in Borno

Scores of fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been reportedly killed following a gunfight with troops of the Nigerian Army in Damboa, Borno state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the insurgents had launched an attack on Wajiroko town of Borno state.

The attack was said to have occurred hours after the insurgents pledged allegiance to Abu al-Hussein al-Qurashi, identified as the new leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“It was gathered that unspecified numbers of the terrorists attacked Wajiroko town in two phantom MRAPs and six Hilux trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns,” the report reads.

“An intelligence source told Zagazola Makama, Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in Lake Chad, that their attack [was] preceded [by] multiple mortar bombs they fired from Gubub axis of the town.

“The resilient troops, however, stood their ground and engaged the terrorists in a heavy gun battle which lasted for about 40 minutes. 

“The terrorists were eventually forced to flee the scene after suffering some fatalities.

“Unknown to the fleeing terrorists, a reinforcement of troops from Sabon Gari and Damboa led by Brig. Gen. B.O. Omopariola, the Brigade Commander, 25 Brigade, had already staged an ambush in their escape route.

“The ambush paid off as the troops neutrialised scores of the terrorists and destroyed two gun trucks conveying many fighters.”

Items recovered from the insurgents were listed as: one FN rifle, two AK-47 rifles, one RPG tube, two RPG bombs, one 36 hand grenade, two FN magazines, two AK magazines, and 20 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition.