The Maritime Component of Operation Hadin Kai, in the early hours of Wednesday, responded to an attempted infiltration by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the Naval Base Lake Chad, located at Fish Dam, Baga, in Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency media expert, that the terrorists, who reportedly stormed the facility around 1 am, attempted to sabotage newly acquired Swamp Buggies recently procured by the Borno State Government to aid waterways clearance in the Lake Chad region.

Sources said that the attack triggered a heavy gun battle with the naval personnel, with reinforcements arriving from nearby Baga. The exchange of gunfire lasted for over two hours before the terrorists retreated.

“Although the base resisted the incursion, minimal damage was recorded. An ambulance and two other vehicles were destroyed, while some personnel sustained injuries during the engagement,” the source disclosed.

The Swamp Buggies, however, remained intact and were not accessed by the attackers.

As of the time of filing this report, the Air Component Command (ACC) is said to be conducting follow-on pursuit and exploitation operations along the Lake Chad waterways to track down and neutralise the fleeing terrorists.

More details of the attack are still being obtained.