Military Officers, Civilians Missing Following Boko Haram Ambush

Uncertainty surrounds the fate of several Nigerian military personnel and civilians following a deadly ambush by Boko Haram insurgents in Baga, a community near the fringes of Lake Chad.

The ambush occurred during a recovery mission aimed at retrieving the bodies of 40 residents killed in an earlier attack by the insurgents. According to a soldier, who spoke anonymously to Channels Television, the recovery team, made up of both armed forces and civilian volunteers, was attacked after going too far in search of the bodies.

“Our troops went in search of the dead bodies of civilians killed by the terrorists. We went too far in search of them, and the terrorists ambushed us. There was an exchange of fire, and they killed some of our soldiers,” the soldier explained.

Though the exact number of casualties remains unclear, it has been confirmed that some soldiers are missing, and efforts to locate them are ongoing. Alongside the military personnel, approximately 50 civilians from the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), local hunters, and vigilantes were also part of the recovery mission. However, only one civilian has reportedly returned so far.

A civilian source in Baga, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "About 50 villagers mobilized to recover the dead bodies, but the terrorists ambushed them. Only one person has returned so far. We are awaiting others.”

The ambush follows a brutal attack by Boko Haram on Tuesday, where 40 residents were killed in Baga. A separate incident in Gwoza also saw the deaths of six individuals, including five repentant insurgents and CJTF members.

These attacks highlight the continuing threat posed by Boko Haram insurgents, who have left communities in northern Nigeria vulnerable and have severely strained the resources of the country's security forces.