April 09, (THEWILL) — Scores of armed Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), alongside civilians and security personnel, have lost their lives in coordinated night attacks in Pulka Community of Gwoza Local Government Area and Benesheikh Town, the headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area in Borno State.
THEWILL gathered that the assaults, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, left widespread destruction and heightened concerns over security in the state.
In Pulka, preliminary investigations revealed that several facilities, including equipment and machines belonging to Decency Road Construction Firm, were set ablaze by the insurgents. The town, currently hosting thousands of displaced persons from Ngoshe, became a flashpoint as terrorists stormed the area in large numbers.
Reacting to the incident, Borno South senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume, called on President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate decisive leadership in addressing the deteriorating security situation.
Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Army, said military personnel, though courageous, lack adequate equipment to confront heavily armed terrorists. He urged the federal government to equip troops with fighter jets, drones, and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, insisting that such measures are crucial to defeating insurgents who often strike in overwhelming numbers.
According to Ndume, “Although the troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force fought valiantly, some soldiers were killed after running out of ammunition. Tragically, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force also lost his life, while Decency Road Construction equipment and machines were destroyed.”
He further revealed that, prior to invading Pulka, insurgents killed a resident of Warabe Village after the community resisted their attack. He commended the efforts of security forces and Civilian Joint Task Force members for tactically repelling the insurgents long enough to save many lives, including displaced persons taking refuge in Pulka.
In Benesheikh Town, the insurgents struck around 1 a.m., targeting both civilians and military formations. Eyewitnesses reported that trucks and commercial vehicles were set ablaze, killing motorists and passengers who had spent the night in the town due to the routine closure of the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano road.
Tragically, the Brigade Commander of the Joint Task Force in Benesheikh, Kaga LGA, Brigadier-General O. Braimah, was reportedly killed during the assault.
A social media post by Mallam Lawa Benesheikh mourned the officer, stating: “Innalillahi wa Inna’illaihin raji’un. Boko Haram has, unfortunately, succeeded in eliminating the commanding officer of Benesheikh. This unfortunate incident occurred last night when the insurgents stormed the military formation in numbers. May the souls of the fallen heroes rest in peace.”
The chairman of Kaga Local Government Area, Zanna Ajimi, confirmed the incident.
“We are in a difficult situation as Boko Haram wreaked havoc in Benesheikh. Presently, I cannot give you the exact number of casualties, but many insurgents, civilians, and security personnel were killed.”
Another source reported that, despite the heavy toll, troops were able to neutralise scores of insurgents, though some vehicles were seized by the attackers.
Senator Ndume emphasised that political rhetoric alone would not curb the insurgency. He called on President Tinubu to move beyond declarations and provide tangible support for the armed forces, stressing that only adequately equipped and well-resourced troops can effectively confront terrorists who strike communities with brutal force. The Senator commiserated with the families of the deceased, prayed for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives, and wished the injured a quick recovery.
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