Militants carry out deadly attack in Borno village, leaving four troops and one resident dead

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Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have killed four soldiers and one civilian in a fresh attack in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

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Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred around 12pm on Wednesday in Mussa community.

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Confirming the incident exclusively to PUNCH Online on Thursday, the Chairman of the Local Government, Mada Saidu, said the civilian casualty was a woman.

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He said, “There was an attack at Mussa ward yesterday afternoon. They killed one civilian, a lady, and four soldiers.”

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Military sources, who spoke with PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said the affected soldiers were personnel of the 115 Task Force Battalion in the local government.

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“Four of our troops belonging to the 115 Task Force Battalion were killed while ensuring that the terrorists did not gain entrance into the town.

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“The insurgents were not many, but it was a coordinated attack aimed at infiltrating the town. The troops stood their ground, but unfortunately, the four were killed,” one of the sources said.

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Residents of the community said they heard gunfire for about 30 minutes, leaving villagers in disarray.

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“We were hearing serious gunshots, and many people began to flee their homes at exactly 12pm yesterday.

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“If not for the military’s defence, they had intended to enter our community that afternoon to cause massive destruction,” a resident who pleaded not to be identified said.

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The attack marks the latest in a series of assaults on civilian and military positions across the state.

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