How Nigerian Army secretly contacted families as Boko Haram kill 25 soldiers in Borno

The Nigerian Army has refused to make a public statement five days after militants from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād killed at least 25 soldiers in Borno State.

SaharaReporters reports that the soldiers were on patrol to clear some Boko Haram elements in Monguno area on September 16, 2021 when they were ambushed by the insurgents.

The deadly attack left about 25 soldiers dead while some are still missing five days after the incident.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army secretly contacted some of the families of the deceased, informing them that their loved ones had been deposited in a morgue.

SaharaReporters gathered that military operational vehicles, several weapons and ammunition were stolen during the attack.

Monguno is north, about 70km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital and hosted thousands of Internally Displaced Persons mostly from Dikwa and Marte council areas.

“At least 25 soldiers have been confirmed dead, the authorities have contacted some of their families, their bodies are already deposited at the morgue,” a source told SaharaReporters on Monday evening.

The attack comes a few days after the insurgents killed 10 Nigerian soldiers after dislodging a military base in Rann, the administrative headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

Authorities of the Nigeria Army have, however, been silent on both incidents.

Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, have killed thousands and displaced millions in North-Eastern Nigeria.

The Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency had been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.

In the past months, soldiers have been targeted by the insurgents.

Over 300 soldiers and officers have been reportedly killed since January 2021.

At least 33 soldiers were killed early in the year when two vehicles loaded with explosives rammed into a military convoy in Wulgo.

The suicide bombers were identified as Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and Bana Jundullah. The group also claimed four military vehicles were destroyed.

In February, about 20 soldiers were also killed in Malari, Borno State by the insurgents.

SaharaReporters gathered that the soldiers were on patrol to clear some Boko Haram elements in the area following a credible intelligence when they were ambushed by the group.