Troops repel ISWAP night attack in Borno

The troops of sector 3 Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have reportedly repelled an attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Monguno, a northern Borno town.

Monguno is one of the 27 LGAs in Borno state which has a distance of about 137.8 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the capital.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reports that the ISWAP fighters attacked the town right after the breaking of fasting with heavy weapons on Friday night.

A military source told the publication that the fighters were aiming to penetrate the town by running it aground. 

The publication said the troops were able to push back the fighters “after engaging them in a heavy gun battle”.

TheCable had reported how the troops of the Nigerian army repelled a series of attacks launched against its bases in Mafa and Biu LGAs

On March 27, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled an attack by the ISWAP fighters on a military base in Kunnari, a village near Buratai town, after invading the community.

Two days later, on March 29, the troops also repelled another attack by the ISWAP fighters targeted at a military asset in Ajiri, Mafa LGA of Borno.

Zagazola Makama said the failed attack was in retaliation to the killing of 41 fighters – including a commander – of ISWAP in Mukdolo by the troops of  Operation Hadin Kai and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).