Suspected members of the Boko Haram have reportedly invaded the base of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, MNJTF, in Baga, Borno State, on Saturday, January 3, 2015, dislodging the soldiers, Premium Times reports.
According to a senior security official who confirmed the incident to journalists in Maiduguri, the attack was one of the fiercest and toughest encounter in recent times as soldiers battled to retain the MNJTF base in a failed attempt.
The official, who pleaded anonymity, stated that the attack began in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2015 on the base started at about 5 a.m.
“We got the information that Boko Haram insurgents went and dislodged the Multinational Joint Task Force there, after a fierce gun battle that lasted for hours.
“For now, all we can say is that it was a bad outing for the soldiers because the base was practically dislodged but one cannot say specifically the extent of damaged caused on the base and personnel”.
Recall that the MNJTF was established by military chiefs and defense from the six countries that make up the Lake Chad Basin Commission, with the aim to combat arms trafficking, terrorism and related cross-border attacks that have threaten the existence of the counties.
The Islamist group had seen the existence of the MNJTF as a major challenge to their operations; hence they stage several attacks around the base with the aim of having possessing the territory.
Residents of neighbouring communities around the Baga town who heard the gunshots and explosions in their neighbourhood had reportedly fled to Maiduguri for safety.
The military has not released a statement to address the attack as the detail of impact has not being evaluated. More details later.
