A fresh assault by suspected Boko Haram insurgents has left four soldiers and a civilian dead in Mussa community, located in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to a reports, the attack occurred around midday on Wednesday, sparking fear among residents as gunfire rang out across the area.
The Chairman of Askira/Uba LGA, Mada Saidu, confirmed the incident in an interview with Punch on Thursday. He revealed that the civilian casualty was a woman.
“There was an attack yesterday afternoon in Mussa ward. Four soldiers and one civilian—a woman—lost their lives,” he said.
Military insiders disclosed that the fallen troops were members of the 115 Task Force Battalion stationed in the area.
One source explained that the soldiers were actively working to prevent the insurgents from breaching the community.
“The attackers were not large in number, but the operation was well-coordinated. Their aim was to infiltrate the town.
Our men resisted, but sadly, four personnel were killed in the process,” the source stated.
Residents described a tense scene as the attack unfolded, with sustained gunfire lasting for about 30 minutes and forcing many people to flee for safety.
“We started hearing heavy gunshots around noon, and people began running from their homes in fear,” one resident recounted. “If not for the military’s resistance, the attackers might have entered the community and caused even greater damage.”
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This latest incident adds to a growing pattern of attacks on both security forces and civilians in Borno State, intensifying concerns over the persistent security challenges in the region.