By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched a deadly attack on the Mussa community in the Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Wednesday afternoon. 

The assault, which took place around 12:00 pm, resulted in the deaths of four Nigerian soldiers and one female civilian.

The Chairman of the Local Government, Mada Saidu, confirmed the tragic incident to the press on Thursday morning. He noted that while the military successfully engaged the insurgents, the community suffered the loss of five lives during the brief but intense encounter.

Military sources revealed that the fallen soldiers were personnel of the 115 Task Force Battalion stationed in the area.

The troops were reportedly involved in a fierce gun battle to prevent the terrorists from gaining entry into the town and causing further havoc.

According to a military insider, the attack was a coordinated attempt by a small group of insurgents to infiltrate the residential areas. Although the soldiers stood their ground and successfully repelled the invaders, four of the personnel paid the supreme price during the defense.

Residents of the Mussa community described the experience as terrifying, reporting that heavy gunfire lasted for approximately 30 minutes. The sound of the battle sent many villagers into a state of panic, with many fleeing their homes to seek safety in nearby bushes.

One resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed gratitude for the military’s swift intervention. They noted that the terrorists had intended to cause massive destruction within the community, but the soldiers’ resistance limited the scale of the tragedy.

This latest incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Borno State, where both military positions and civilian communities remain targets for insurgent groups. The local authorities and security agencies are continuing to monitor the area to prevent further incursions.