Security expert says the use of drones by insurgents in Borno State is a clear indication that the combatants are embracing new technologies and advancing their firepower.

Six Nigerian soldiers and at least 34 insurgents have been killed in an attack in Sabon Gari village in the Damboa district of Borno State.

Major-General Edward Buba, the director of defence media operations, confirmed that suspected Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents stormed the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Sabon Gari in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State at about 4pm on Saturday, January 4.

In a statement – headed “Terrorists Killed in Attack on Sabon Gari in Damboa LGA of Borno State” – released on Wednesday, January 8, Buba said the fighters arrived in the village on motorbikes and in gun trucks hoping to surprise troops.

The attack was in retaliation against the recent killing of ISWAP commanders and other combatants by troops.

Buba said the “terrorists were taken unaware when troops returning to the base foiled their planned attack” just as it was starting.

An intense gun battle ensued.

A reinforcement team, made up of Civilian Joint Taskforce members, vigilantes and hybrid forces, rushed to help the soldiers.

On the way, they drove over an improvised explosive device (IED) that was one of several planted by the insurgents. A vigilante commander was wounded and taken to hospital.

The rest of the team arrived “just in time to decimate the fleeing terrorists”, Buba said.

“The air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists. Battle Damage Assessment revealed several killed terrorists and recovered weapons.”

Buba said 34 insurgents and six soldiers died in the attack. Troops seized 23 AK-47 rifles, along with more than 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

“Kindly note that the names of those killed in action are withheld to allow administrative procedures of notifying their next of kin be concluded. Accordingly, the media is requested to respect the process, please.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria are profoundly conscious of their role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation. Troops remain committed to the cause of defeating the terrorists,” Buba said.

A security operative in Damboa, who asked to remain anonymous, told RNI the insurgents arrived in large numbers. He said that before launching the attack, insurgents had sent a surveillance drone over the area.

“Soldiers had mistaken it for a military drone,” he said.

”The insurgents overpowered the base, looted weapons and destroyed military vehicles. Of the soldiers stationed at the base, only about half have been accounted for. It is feared they might have been abducted.”

Bunu Bukar, a CJTF member in Damboa, said IEDs planted by ISWAP combatants had delayed the arrival of the reinforcement team.

“One of the vehicles drove over and detonated an IED, seriously wounding a vigilante commander from Damboa. He was rushed to Maiduguri for medical treatment, while the rest of the team continued to the base.

“Upon arrival at the base, the team – made up of general security forces, CJTF members, vigilantes and hybrid forces from Damboa – was met with intense gunfire from ISWAP combatants.

“But, with help from the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, the insurgents were overpowered. They fled from the base. Many of them were killed.”

A Maiduguri-based criminology and security expert, Shettima Mamman, told RNI that the use of drones by ISWAP to coordinate its operations was a clear indication that the group was embracing new technologies and advancing its firepower.

He said this was “the opening a new chapter”.

Mamman said the Nigerian military needed to upgrade its training and equipment to combat the insurgents effectively.

He said it was crucial for the military to adopt the use of drones.

“The government needs to provide the military with modern ammunition and technologies.”

He highlighted the importance of working closely with intelligence sources and “for the military to design new strategies to combat terrorism”.

Mamman said Nigerian troops often failed to take proactive measures, allowing the insurgents to launch attacks without resistance.

“This is not the first time ISWAP has used drones to coordinate its attacks. It happened in Yobe State not long ago. But the military refused to acknowledge it. They claimed it was a toy drone not a fighter drone.

“But look at where we are now,” he said. “The Nigerian Armed Forces needs to take this development seriously.

“It is crucial that the government puts in place strategic measures to address the insurgency. The current approach is inadequate.”

He said Nigerian troops were using “obsolete weapons” and they would continue to flounder if they did not embrace new security technologies.

“The insurgents are well-equipped with modern weapons, including drones. To bring an end to the insurgency, the government needs to motivate the troops, equip them with modern weapons and adopt a proactive approach.”

Security operatives should always be on high alert, “as their oath requires them to sacrifice their lives to protect the nation”.

AYSHA MUSTAPHA KOLOMI