Scores of Soldiers Killed by Friendly Fire During Ambush by ISWAP in Borno

Malik Yahya/

Scores of soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel, reportedly lost their lives yesterday after a Nigerian Army convoy ran into a deadly ambush along Maiduguri – Damaturu road, Borno State.

Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters using multiple gun trucks and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs), disguised as friendly forces to ambush the military convoy on its way to deliver newly acquired MRAPs to the theatre of operations.

The insurgents were believed to have also carted away some of the new MRAPs.

The reinforcement team coming from Ngandu were also believed to have been killed by friendly airstrike.

Reports say the Nigerian Air Force fighter jets dispatched to the site of the ambush accidentally unleashed fire on troops.

Nigerian troops and the insurgents were wearing similar fatigue and using similar vehicles. This was believed to have led to the unfortunate incident between air and ground forces.

It also allowed the ISWAP fighters to trick the troops at the military base in Mainok before opening fire and overrunning the base.

The local police outpost was also destroyed during the attack.

Mainok, the main town of Kaga Local Government area is about 60 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital.

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