Nigerian troops on Friday repelled a terrorist attack on Damboa town in Borno State.
The 25 Task Force Brigade troops were said to have overpowered militants from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), in a gun battle, forcing them to flee.
The insurgents had reportedly stormed the town around 6:35 am, shooting in all directions.
This created tension among residents but troops reportedly engaged them in a heavy shootout, forcing them to retreat.
A source said the terrorists were first sighted around Mandara Garau on Thursday while converging in a large number of trucks.
He said the plan was to attack a transit camp for ‘repentant’ fighters in Sabon Gari, Damboa.
“They fled after they sighted the Airforce fighter jet on Thursday. Again, they returned this morning. They wanted to attack the ex-militants’ transit camp in Sabon Gari, Damboa.
“So while attempting to infiltrate the town, the soldiers engaged them in a heavy shootout. Those who survived the troops’ onslaught fled, abandoning their evil mission,” the source added.
Since the death of JAS leader, Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has been consolidating its grip in locations around Lake Chad.
Just recently, it appointed Wali Sani Shuwaram, a 45-year-old as the new leader (Wali) of ISWAP in Lake Chad.
The sect’s membership has swollen with the defection of hundreds of Boko Haram fighters under Shekau.
