Seven operatives of the Nigerian Army have been confirmed dead after their vehicle hit an explosive in the Mugunu area of Maiduguri, Borno State.
The incident occurred when the vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram along the Gamboru Ngala-Maiduguri Road. The Army had received a distress call early on Thursday that Boko Haram terrorists were attacking a neighbouring community. In response, the commandant ordered the deployment of three vehicles carrying armed soldiers to the community.
One of these vehicles struck an electro-explosive device (EED) in Mugunu, resulting in the deaths of all but one soldier on board.
Boko Haram has a history of planting IEDs in the area. A resident of Gamboru Ngala reported that many vehicles traveling on the road have been damaged by such devices. Distressing videos and images obtained by SaharaReporters show soldiers recovering and reassembling the dismembered remains of their comrades.
A military source described the sequence of events: "They (the deceased soldiers) were called that a neighbouring community is under attack by Boko Haram. Their commandant ordered them to go. They moved in a convoy at around 5 am on Thursday. The first and second vehicles passed, but the third vehicle hit the EED device which exploded and scattered all of them in the vehicle. They were seven."
The identities of the deceased soldiers remain limited at the time of reporting. However, one of the victims has been identified as Luke, a native of Cross River State. Authorities are waiting to officially call the families of the deceased after recovering and identifying the remains.
This tragic incident underscores the ongoing challenges and dangers faced by Nigerian soldiers in their mission to combat Boko Haram and protect communities in Borno State.
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