Boko Haram terrorists have killed an army captain in Izge community of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident, which took place at about 1 am on Wednesday, also left three terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram dead, with the recovery of motorcycles, bicycles, an operational vehicle and a sophisticated rifle, all belonging to the terrorists.
Confirming the incident, the Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, said the assailants stormed the area around 1am and engaged the troops.
“It’s true that my people in Izge community came under Boko Haram attack around 1am. Unfortunately, a Captain and a Soldier paid the supreme price.
“But our gallant troops, the Civilian JTF, hunters, vigilantes and the resilient community members also killed three terrorists.
“The terrorists abandoned their weapons, over 10 motorcycles and they are still on the run, while being trailed by our security men,” he said.
He prayed for the souls of those that lost their lives and commended the gallant soldiers for coordinating other security operatives to repel the attack.
“May Allah (SWT) grant the departed souls Jannatul firdaus. Our gallant men are still in the bush, sacrificing their lives to maintain peace in the society, ” he said.
“Let me equally commend our passionate governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, for his relentless efforts in providing enabling resources to the security agencies and our CJTF members in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists which has brought about relative peace and resettlement of many displaced people back to their ancestral homes.
“I want to equally call on the federal government to equip our security forces with technological warfare/weapons to defeat the remnants of Boko Haram members terrorising our communities almost on a daily basis,” the Emir added.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives was thrown into heated debate on Tuesday as lawmakers from Borno State raised urgent concerns about the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s northeast, revealing that Boko Haram insurgents have adopted more advanced and deadlier tactics, including the use of armed drones.
Ahmed Jaha, who represents Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency, told fellow lawmakers that Boko Haram has resurged with unprecedented firepower, slaughtering farmers and outgunning the military.
“They now use gun and bomb drones,” he said, urging immediate and serious intervention.
Jaha lamented that despite N19.7 trillion spent on security between 2015 and 2019, insurgents remain emboldened.
He recounted recent attacks in Pulka and Chibok where dozens of farmers were killed and others injured or missing.
“This is no longer hearsay. I was there myself. In Pulka, 10 farmers were killed while scavenging. In Chibok, 14 more were murdered,” he said, adding that Nigerian soldiers were also lost in battles at Izge and Kampu.
Zainab Gimba, representing Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge Federal Constituency, corroborated Jaha’s claims, disclosing that Boko Haram fighters ambushed a multinational joint task force base in her constituency, killing over 20 soldiers.
Alarmingly, she said foreign fighters were among the attackers. “The commander confirmed that several white men were seen among the insurgents,” Gimba stated.
She also criticized the siting of military barracks in city centers, referencing the recent fire outbreak at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri.
Gimba warned that the withdrawal of countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS weakens regional cooperation, posing additional security threats at Nigeria’s borders.
Both lawmakers called for urgent, comprehensive oversight and re-evaluation of military strategies to prevent further loss of life and territory, stressing that Boko Haram is returning with greater force and sophistication.
