In the early hours of Sunday, suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly attack on Izge village, located in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, resulting in the deaths of two Nigerian soldiers. The soldiers, a Captain and a Corporal, were among those killed during the attack, although several of the insurgents were also neutralized in the ensuing battle.
The attack took place around 1 a.m. when a large group of insurgents riding motorcycles stormed the Izge military formation. They launched a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) at the military location, catching the soldiers off guard. Despite the initial onslaught, the military personnel, supported by local hunters and vigilantes, were able to retaliate and eventually overpower the attackers.
Local sources report that the insurgents initially had the upper hand, but the combined efforts of the military, hunters, and vigilante groups turned the tide of battle. “It was a fierce battle, but the troops from the Izge platoon formation under ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ were resilient, and they were able to subdue the attackers,” a local resident shared. The confrontation led to the death of several insurgents, with many others abandoning their motorcycles and fleeing into the Sambisa Forest.
The Executive Chairman of Gwoza Local Government, Hon. Abba Kawu Idrissa Timta, confirmed the attack but stated that the final toll of casualties on both sides had not yet been determined. However, he did emphasize that many insurgents had been killed in the clash.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Borno State, where Boko Haram insurgents have maintained a brutal presence for over a decade. The attack on Izge is just one of many that have plagued the region, leaving both military personnel and civilians vulnerable to violent attacks. Despite the presence of military forces in the area, Boko Haram continues to strike at will, using guerilla tactics to destabilize the region.
One of the key factors that helped the military overpower the attackers was the involvement of local hunters and vigilante groups. These groups have increasingly become important allies in the fight against insurgents in the region. The close-knit collaboration between the Nigerian military and local residents has proven to be vital in containing attacks and recovering lost ground.
A local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, spoke about the bravery of the soldiers and local forces in repelling the insurgents. “When the insurgents attacked, they were many, but the soldiers were not alone. The hunters and vigilantes joined them, and together they fought back. It was a hard battle, but we all stayed together to defend our land,” he said.
The attack in Izge has sparked renewed calls for more advanced technology to be deployed in the fight against Boko Haram. Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) has been a vocal critic of the persistent insecurity in Borno and across northeastern Nigeria, repeatedly calling for stronger measures to combat the insurgency.
Following the latest attack, Senator Ndume expressed his concern over the effectiveness of current security efforts and urged the federal government to deploy modern surveillance technologies to assist security agencies in tracking and neutralizing the insurgents more effectively. “The insurgents are getting smarter, and we need to match their tactics with better technology. Surveillance systems, drones, and modern intelligence-gathering tools are crucial for giving our forces the upper hand in these battles,” he said.
Ndume’s call for enhanced technological support aligns with ongoing concerns about the limitations of traditional military tactics in combating Boko Haram. The insurgents’ use of motorcycles and their knowledge of the rugged terrain, including the Sambisa Forest, gives them a significant advantage in carrying out hit-and-run attacks on military formations and civilian targets.
The attack on Izge village has further deepened the sense of insecurity in Borno State, a region that has long been the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency. The violence has forced many residents to flee their homes, while others live in constant fear of attacks by insurgents. The destruction of property and the loss of life have left lasting scars on the affected communities, which continue to struggle with the devastating effects of the ongoing conflict.
The presence of military personnel, local hunters, and vigilantes has provided some measure of security, but the continued attacks demonstrate the fragility of peace in the region. For many residents, daily life is an ongoing battle to survive amidst the violence and uncertainty that has plagued Borno for over a decade.
In response to the attack, local leaders have reiterated their calls for stronger government action to secure the region and provide support to displaced families. The Gwoza Local Government Chairman, Hon. Timta, expressed his condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives, while also calling for more resources to be allocated to security efforts in the area.
“We have lost brave men in this attack, and our hearts go out to their families,” Timta said. “But we also know that the security situation in this region requires more attention and more resources. We cannot continue to face this level of violence without stronger support from the government.”
The attack in Izge serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram. Despite years of military operations and the efforts of local security forces, the insurgents continue to wage a brutal campaign of terror in the northeastern part of the country.
As the battle continues, local communities, military personnel, and vigilante groups are working together to resist the insurgents. However, the growing sophistication of Boko Haram’s tactics and the group’s ability to blend into the local population and utilize difficult terrain pose significant challenges for security forces.
The Nigerian government has made several efforts to address the Boko Haram crisis, including the creation of specialized military operations like “Operation Hadin Kai” and the establishment of a regional force to combat insurgents. However, the continued attacks, such as the one in Izge, suggest that more needs to be done to secure the region and bring an end to the insurgency.
