A Major in the Nigerian Army has lost his life in an attack on a military patrol by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Damasak, Borno State. The officer, who commanded the Damasak military base, was leading a foot patrol of about 30 soldiers when they came under explosives and gunfire from the insurgents on Friday.
The assault forced the soldiers to scatter, with only eight officers returning to base, while 22 soldiers, including the commanding officer, were initially unaccounted for. Sources indicate that the Major may have been killed during the ambush, as someone has been answering calls to his phone, suggesting he may be in the hands of ISWAP.
Conflicting reports had earlier suggested the Major might have been captured, but another security source dismissed these claims, stating that the officer was killed during the attack. There has been no official statement from the Army or the Borno State Police Command as of the time of reporting.
The attack is the latest in a series of incidents involving ISWAP in Borno State, including the killing of Brigadier General M. Uba late last year.
