Damasak Counts The Cost Of ISWAP Attacks
At least 10 people were killed during an ISWAP attack in Damasak, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria. The attack is part of a pattern of raids targeting garrison towns and humanitarian actors
Residents of Damasak in Northeast Nigeria, are in the process of recovering bodies and counting their losses after Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters attack on Tuesday.
The terrorists set homes on fire and pillaged everything in their wake, killing dozens.
Traders have lost their wares after the looting and arson spree by the terrorists before the push back.
Calm has however returned after the military resistance.
The town lies just a few kilometres from the border with Niger republic’s Diffa region.
The attack which involved about 15 ISWAP gun trucks led to a fierce battle with the Nigerian military backed by combat aircraft conducting air strikes in support of efforts to thwart the attack.
At least 10 bodies were recovered as the search for casualties continued.
HumAngle had earlier reported that some locals fled as the terrorists breached the town and headed towards the Nigerian Army Super Camp in Damasak, the main town of the Mobbar Local Government Area.
HumAngle has learned that the insurgents went on rampage, burning properties with links to government and humanitarian organisations.
On Saturday, several humanitarian facilities were destroyed and looted and at least six people were killed during an attack in Damasak, which resulted in the pulling out of more humanitarian workers due to safety concerns.
Another group of ISWAP insurgents attacked Gajiram, the headquarters of Ngathe Nganzai local government area. The damages or casualties are still unknown.
These recent attacks are part of a trend of ISWAP raids targeting garrison towns and humanitarian facilities.
HumAngle also understands that repeated assaults on Damasak could exhaust troops and undermine the security of the garrison town and further affect humanitarian operations in northern Borno.
Council on Foreign Relations Security tracker estimates that more than 37,000 people have been killed, and millions have been displaced by the Boko Haram conflict.
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