Army says troops repelled Maiyama base attack, recovered 17 motorcycles

The Army says troops repelled an attack by suspected Lakurawa members on a military base in Maiyama, Kebbi State, and recovered 17 motorcycles after the attackers withdrew.

The assault on the Forward Operating Base took place in the early hours of Wednesday, October 7, according to Operation Fansan Yamma. The military said the attackers arrived on more than 100 motorcycles, carrying weapons including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, the operation’s media information officer, said in a Thursday statement that troops of Sector 2 held the base and forced the attackers to retreat. Punch reported the statement.

Danja said subsequent pursuit operations recovered a PKT machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, assorted ammunition and a communication device, alongside the motorcycles.

Daily Post, citing security analyst Zagazola Makama, said several attackers were killed. The military statements reported by Punch and Channels Television did not give a casualty total.

The military said troops remained in control of the area and were continuing patrols and clearance operations to track those who fled.

Sources: Punch, Channels Television, Daily Post