KEY POINTS

• Soldiers repel midnight attack in Gajiram.
• Several troops reportedly injured during the Counterterrorism operation
• Nigerian Army yet to confirm casualties.

Nigerian soldiers have reportedly stopped a late-night attack by suspected Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Borno State.

The attackers reportedly targeted a military base in Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area of the state, during the early hours of Monday.

The attack is said to have taken place at about 1 a.m., when the insurgents reportedly arrived at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in large numbers.

The attackers were believed to have attempted to take control of the military facility, leading to a heavy exchange of fire between the insurgents and the troops stationed at the base.

Soldiers reportedly push back attackers

According to reports cited by Sahara Reporters, soldiers at the base were able to repel the attackers after a fierce confrontation.

Some of the soldiers reportedly said in voice notes shared with the media that several insurgents were killed during the battle.

The soldiers, however, were also said to have suffered injuries during the attack. They reportedly called for urgent evacuation of the injured personnel so they could receive proper medical care.

The reports did not give the exact number of soldiers who were injured or the number of insurgents who may have been killed.

The attackers were also alleged to have set fire to some military vehicles and other equipment during the attack.

According to the soldiers, some ammunition and operational equipment were also affected during the incident.

Despite the pressure from the attackers, the troops reportedly remained at the military base and continued to defend the facility throughout the confrontation.

The soldiers later called on military authorities to send more troops, ammunition and other supplies to strengthen the base and support the personnel operating there.

The Nigerian Army had not officially confirmed the reported attack at the time of publication.

The Army had also not confirmed the number of casualties, the reported deaths of insurgents or the condition of the soldiers said to have been injured.

The Army spokesperson, Colonel Onyechi Anele, was reportedly contacted for a response but had not replied as of the time the report was published.

The reported incident highlights the continued security challenges facing communities and military formations in parts of Borno State, where Boko Haram and ISWAP have carried out attacks over the years.

For now, details of the incident remain based on accounts from soldiers and media reports, pending an official statement from the Nigerian Army.