Suspected insurgents attacked the border town of Banki in Nigeria’s Borno state, forcing troops to withdraw as gunmen raided a military barracks and seized weapons, residents and security sources said on Friday.
The assault in Bama district began around 2130 GMT on Thursday and ran into the early hours of Friday, according to an internal Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) memo seen by Reuters.
“The insurgents overran the town and entered the military barracks, seizing ammunition and weapons. The commanding officer and soldiers reportedly abandoned their positions, fleeing towards Cameroon and leaving civilians behind,” the memo said.
A soldier with 152 Battalion in Banki said the attackers arrived in large numbers, prompting a retreat under heavy gunfire. The army did not respond to requests for comment.
Banki, briefly held by Boko Haram a decade ago, has suffered repeated assaults by the group and Islamic State West Africa Province, deepening a protracted humanitarian crisis. The military says it has intensified counterinsurgency operations across Borno in recent months.
Resident Aliyu Haruna said he counted at least seven bodies on Friday, including three soldiers. Reuters could not independently verify the death toll. He added that military and paramilitary personnel fled across the border during the attack and returned on Friday morning.