Gunmen ambush military convoy on New Marte-Dikwa road, killing seven and wounding many in ‘well-planned, well-coordinated and well-executed’ attack.

The traditional ruler of Musine town in the Marte district of Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast has been killed in a “well-planned, well-coordinated and well-executed” attack by insurgents.

Ba Shehu Ba Mai Musinema, the town head, was one of seven people, including Ba’ana Kuliyaram, the overall commander of the Civilian Joint Tast Force (CJTF) in the Marte Local Government Area, who died in a hail of bullets.

A security source, who asked to remain anonymous, said insurgents ambushed a vehicle in a military convoy at about 10am on Monday, October 7.

Ba Ali Kanzomo, the driver, and a CJTF member and a civilian in the vehicle were shot dead. Two soldiers trying to defend the traditional ruler and CJTF commander also died.

It was not clear if the insurgents were members of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), more commonly referred to as Boko Haram, or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The ambush occurred on the New Marte-Dikwa road.

The source said several people were wounded. The critically injured were taken for treatment to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Those with less serious injuries are being treated in New Marte.
“They started fixing some parts of the bad road between New Marte and Dikwa two days ago to ensure a safe and smooth drive. The area is known for attacks on motorists. They were returning yesterday [Monday] when they were ambushed by insurgents,” the source said.

Malam Bukar Gonibe, a resident of Marte, told RNI that the traditional ruler and the CJTF commander were inspecting a clearance operation on the road when they were surrounded by insurgents.

“The ambush appeared to be well-planned, well-coordinated and well-executed. It looked as if the attackers had prior intel. They targeted the vehicle carrying the village head and the CJTF commander. All five occupants were shot dead in a matter of minutes.

“Two soldiers who were in another vehicle in the convoy and who tried to stop the attackers were also shot dead,” Gonibe said.

“It was fairly chaotic as some people who were clearing the road of foliage and debris jumped into the river to escape. Others ran into the bush. Survivors told us they feared for their lives.

“The deceased were buried in New Marte according to Islamic rites.”
Malum Goni, also a resident of the Marte Local Government Area, said the military and other security operatives had put in place strict security measures following the deadly ambush. Soldiers were conducting more patrols and thoroughly searching vehicles at checkpoints.

“Security is on high alert. This is the first attack of its kind that has occurred in recent times. The residents of Marte are in shock and they are frightened. It reminds them of when the insurgency was at its peak. Hundreds of people fled from their ancestral hometowns to escape being attacked by insurgents.

“Even though soldiers and security operatives arrived soon after the ambush began, it is scary to think that a traditional ruler and a CJTF commander could be killed in this way. It appears the attackers knew which vehicle they were in. They must have been informed by someone. They knew exactly which vehicle to target.”
Goni said reinforcement arrived quickly.
“Soldiers and other security operatives arrived in cars and on motorbikes. They were heavily armed and bravely repelled the attackers. They managed to chase them away.
“We are grateful and proud of them. May Allah fortify and bless them. They always put their own lives on the line as they defend us.”

Mai Bukar Saulama, the traditional head of Saula village in Musine, told RNI that this was not the first ambush of its kind.
“The fact that the traditional ruler of Musine town and the CJTF commander died has really shocked and frightened everyone.
“Boko Haram fighters have carried out many similar ambushes on major roads and highways in the Marte Local Government Area. Lots of people have died. But this time the ambush was particularly shocking and frightening because it occurred in broad daylight with heavy casualties on the side of security operatives, including the CJTF commander.

“I am pleading with the Borno State government to beef up security. We need more security operatives on our roads and highways, as well as in communities to protect citizens’ lives and property.
“It is imperative for the government to prioritise the safety and security of ordinary people. No one should be forced to leave their hometowns because of attacks by insurgents. It happened in the past and we do not want a recurrence. The insurgents must not be allowed to displace people again.”

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO