Troops repel ISWAP attack on INEC collation centre in Zulum’s hometown

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) on a collation centre in Mafa LGA, the hometown of Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state.

Governorship and state houses of assembly polls took place across the country on Saturday.

Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the insurgent’s attack took place hours after Zulum visited the LGA to cast his vote.

The publication quoted sources as saying that the insurgents stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday around 2 am on motorcycles and gun trucks and headed to the centre where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were collating results of the LGA for the governorship and state assembly elections.

However, the insurgents faced stiff resistance from the troops who were said to have engaged them in a gun battle, killing several of the ISWAP fighters.

“A source said the troops recovered two Toyota Hilux vehicles and weapons from the insurgents. The residents of the community came out to celebrate the victory of the troops after the incident,” Zagazola said.

The development comes a week after troops repelled an attack by ISWAP in Gamboru Ngala area in the state.

Gamboru, located near the Cameroon border, is a market town and the administrative centre of Ngala LGA.