Suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched a deadly assault on a Nigerian military base in Borno state, leaving at least two soldiers dead and several others injured, including the commanding officer.
MAIDUGURI
According to security sources and military officials, the attackers stormed the army base under the cover of poor visibility during the early morning hours. The incident marks another major escalation in the long-running conflict between Nigerian security forces and armed extremist groups operating in the northeast region of the country.
A military source stated that the militants heavily attacked the Forward Operating Base in Magumeri, resulting in intense gunfire and destruction within the camp. Initially, reports from local security personnel indicated that three soldiers were killed during the confrontation, while the commanding officer suffered severe injuries. Around 14 additional soldiers were also wounded in the attack.
The source further explained that Nigerian troops managed to repel the assault after fierce fighting. During the counteroffensive, soldiers reportedly killed about eight militants and recovered a significant cache of weapons and equipment. The recovered items included approximately 20 motorcycles, several machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades believed to have been used by the attackers.
A member of the civilian joint task force, a local vigilante group that assists the military in anti-insurgency operations, confirmed seeing the aftermath of the attack. He said parts of the military base were damaged by fire and several soldiers had sustained gunshot wounds. The vigilante member also claimed that around 10 Boko Haram or ISWAP fighters were killed during the exchange of fire.
In an official statement, the Nigerian military said troops from Operation Hadin Kai, the country’s counterinsurgency operation in the northeast, successfully contained the attack and prevented the militants from fully infiltrating the base. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba confirmed that two soldiers lost their lives during the battle, while injured personnel, including an officer, were receiving medical treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.
The military added that although temporary structures and some equipment were destroyed by fire, troops recovered anti-aircraft guns, AK-47 rifles, and ammunition abandoned by the fleeing militants.
