At least nine soldiers lost their lives on Monday, after their convoy hit a landmine and came under fire from terrorists near Bindundul village, 12 miles from Kareto, an area where Daesh-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were said to operate freely and often set up checkpoints.
According to two security sources from the Damasak brigade, the terrorists planted a mine that the soldiers stepped on. Unfortunately, about nine soldiers died instantly, while five others were seriously injured.
A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force involved in the rescue operation, Abba Kaka Tuja, added that an armoured vehicle was destroyed when the mine detonated, followed by sporadic gunfire from militants.
The soldiers were traveling from Maiduguri to Damasak, the headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area, when the attack occurred.
