Tragic Loss: Nigerian Troops and Civilians Targeted in Baga Following Insurgent Killings

Boko Haram terrorists have launched a deadly ambush on Nigerian military personnel in Baga, located at the fringes of Lake Chad, leading to the disappearance of several soldiers and an unknown number of casualties. The ambush occurred while troops, along with civilians, were attempting to recover the bodies of 40 residents killed by the insurgents earlier.

Military sources, speaking anonymously to Channels Television, confirmed that the soldiers were part of a combined effort to retrieve the bodies of civilians who had fallen victim to Boko Haram attacks. However, as the operation advanced, the troops were ambushed by a group of insurgents, resulting in a fierce gun battle. Several soldiers were killed, though the exact number of casualties remains unclear, as the bodies have yet to be collected and some soldiers are still returning to base.

“Our troops went in search of the dead bodies of civilians killed by the terrorists, but we were ambushed during the operation. There was a heavy exchange of fire, and some of our soldiers lost their lives. The exact number of deaths is still unknown,” said the military source.

Earlier in the week, suspected members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), an affiliate of Boko Haram, had launched another deadly attack in Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State, killing several farmers.

In a separate report, a civilian source in Baga revealed that about 50 local residents, including members of the civilian joint task force, hunters, and other young men, had volunteered to recover the bodies of their fellow villagers. However, only one individual has returned, and the fate of the others remains uncertain.

“Fifty villagers went out to recover the bodies of those killed by Boko Haram, but they were ambushed. We don’t know the exact number of casualties, but we’re waiting for the return of the others,” said the local source.

This incident occurred on Tuesday in Baga, following the earlier attack on the village. Additionally, another attack in Gwoza claimed the lives of six individuals, including five repentant insurgents, members of the civilian joint task force, and local hunters.

The situation remains dire as both military and civilian forces continue to face the brutal realities of insurgent violence in northern Nigeria.