Troops repel ISWAP attack on Monguno

The troops of Sector 3 Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have repelled attacks by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Monguno, the northern part of Borno State.

It was gathered that the ISWAP fighters who came in gun trucks and motorcycles attacked the town with heavy weapons at about 1:30am on Sunday in an attempt to penetrate the most populous northern town.

A counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama, said the gun battle lasted for more than one hour before the troops could successfully push back the attackers.

Although the casualty figure was sketchy as of the time of filing this report, a source said the attack might be in retaliation to the killings of scores of ISWAP during the MNJTF offensive in the Sabon Tumbum and Jibularam in Marte Local Government Area.

The source said that on July 1 at about 10pm, top leaders of the ISWAP in about 15 Hilux vehicles arrived in Sabon Tumbu from the axis of Kwalaram to evacuate the dead and wounded fighters.

“Those who died were later moved toward the axis between Kekeno and Barwati general area in Kukawa Local Government Area where they were buried.

“The insurgents later assembled their fighters in the forest of Arge before launching the attack in the town of Monguno.”

It will be recalled that the ISWAP fighters on June 18 attacked Monguno town, killed three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and kidnapped three humanitarian workers. (Daily Trust)