Terrorists believed to be members of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram (BHTs) yesterday night attacked troops’ location at Dikwa, Borno State, and pushing them out of the area.
According to reports, was gathered, the invaders struck between 7 pm and 7:30 pm at the 81 Division Taskforce Battalion, sending continuous fire with the help of their gun trucks.
Sources, who narrated the attack to newsmen said the location of the troops was yet to be ascertained around 11 pm as they allegedly lost radio communication with the Theatre Command.
It was also gathered that soldiers of the battalion, who have initially complained of overstaying on the battlefields, were at the mercy of the invaders because they had no artillery weapon to defend themselves.
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The battalions, sources said, have only their service AK47 rifles and so, could not do much when the heavily armed terrorists advanced and set fire on their camp.
This is the second time in a month that the battalion has come under attack from the terrorists.
A soldier who spoke under the condition of anonymity said: ‘They were under fierce attack and later lost communication which means that they have been overrun. They do not have armament in the camp, it is only their AK47 they have.
‘This same battalion has been in the battle for almost six years straight. The army has refused to rotate them, ordinarily, we are to be called back every two years but these ones have not been replaced.
‘So, they are already drained mentally, emotionally, physically, and otherwise. The worst part is that no one is checking their mental health and all complaints to the army authorities have not yielded positive results.
‘There must have been casualties but we do not have details now since they have lost communication. Sadly, this is the second time this month that their location is attacked by terrorists.’
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK