Armed ViolenceNews

ISWAP Kills At Least 10 Nigerian Soldiers, Seizes New Armoured Vehicles

At least 10 Nigerian soldiers were killed in an ambush by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the dreaded Alargano-Timbuktu triangle area in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.

According to AFP, quoting security sources, 10 soldiers were killed after Nigerian troops base was attacked on Monday in Alagarno.

“We lost 10 soldiers in the fighting and the terrorists took one,” the source said.

“The fighting was fierce and the gunmen were also killed, but they nevertheless overpowered the army,” according to a second source.


A security source also confirmed the incident to HumAngle.

HumAngle learnt that the soldiers drawn from multiple units were on an operation in the area when they came in contact with ISWAP fighters, resulting in the loss of men and equipment.

Toyota Buffalo Gun trucks and a newly inducted KIA KLTV-181 military tactical-utility vehicle designed and manufactured by Kia Motors Corporation were seized and destroyed.

The KIA KLTV -181, HumAngle gathered was inducted a few months ago and reportedly unfit for the terrain and unable to overcome threats faced by troops from rocket-propelled grenades and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

ISWAP Kills At Least 10 Nigerian Soldiers, Seizes new Armoured Vehicles - 2

The KIA KLTV -181 in the picture shared by ISWAP propaganda outlet is fitted with an upgrade by the Nigerian Army, an armoured turret was mounted for the gunner, unlike previous pictures of the KIA KLTV -181 in use without a turret.

ISWAP Kills At Least 10 Nigerian Soldiers, Seizes new Armoured Vehicles
Photo: KIA KLTV

The recent incident and setback in Alagarno is part of a series of setbacks faced by the military in the area due to lack of proper equipment to advance in the area.

In March, dozens of Nigerian soldiers were killed and injured in an ambush in Timbuktu triangle-Alagarno forest.

The incident led to a chain of events including the replacement of the then Theatre Commander Olusegun Adeniyi and his recent court-martial, following the leaking of a video showing the commander explaining the challenges faced by his troops.

The area has remained under the control of the ISWAP fighters despite sustained military offensive to retake it, to clear suspected ISWAP positions.

Attempts by soldiers to advance have always been met with stiff resistance and challenges from ambushes, RPGs and improvised explosive devices.

In September, the Brigade Commander 25 Task Force Brigade based in the Army Super Camp 2 in Damboa was ambushed alongside his troops.

He died after undergoing a medical procedure.

The 25 Task Force Brigade is part of Army super camp 2 in Damboa Local Government, Southwest of Maiduguri.

One of the command’s battle areas is the dreaded Alagarno and Sambisa forest.

In October, days after the lunch of Operation Fireball, dozens of casualties were recorded and a Major was also killed in Doksa Damboa Local Government of Borno State

Several military pieces of equipment were lost to the insurgents.


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Murtala Abdullahi

Abdullahi Murtala is a researcher and reporter. His expertise is in conflict reporting, climate and environmental justice, and charting the security trends in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region. He founded the Goro Initiative and contributes to dialogues, publications and think-tanks that report on climate change and human security. He tweets via @murtalaibin

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