How ISWAP Fighters Attacked Our Base In Sokoto — Defence Headquarters

The Defence Headquarters Monday confirmed the recent terrorist attack on its base in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State in which military and paramilitary officers were killed.

Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Sawyerr, in a statement, said both Nigerian and Nigerien forces were in a collaborative operation to trail the remaining ISWAP fighters.

He described the incident as unfortunate, saying troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in conjunction with other security agencies, successfully repelled the attack.

He said: “The failed attack, which took place at about 5:30am, 26 September 2021, in the remote border settlement with Niger Republic was swiftly repelled by troops.

“The aggressive operations of troops of the FOB as witnessed in recent months in the North West region, has been a thorn in the flesh of ISWAP and bandits.

“The attackers came in large numbers using telecom networks provided from neighbouring countries, capitalised on the lean rear area protection force when the main troops were out conducting offensive operations within their area of responsibility.

“However, the swift reinforcement by own troops helped to counter the attack as many of the ISWAP fighters were eliminated while some scrambled with various degrees of injuries, resulting in their pursuit to Bassira in Niger Republic.

“Unfortunately, there were some levels of casualty recorded on the part of our own troops during the encounter.”

He said the general security within the Forward Operation Base (FOB) and its environs had been stabilized.

DAILYTRUST