The gunmen reportedly attacked in multiple groups, making their numbers difficult to determine. Sources added that several Nigerian soldiers were killed, while others fled into the bush.
A yet-to-be-confirmed number of Nigerian soldiers have been killed in an attack by militants from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The assault targeted a military base in Borno State.
Military sources told SaharaReporters that the incident occurred on Sunday morning when insurgents launched an offensive on the Forward Base operations at Banki junction, along the Bama–Gwaza Road.
They were said to have fired at the military facility sporadically, causing numerous casualties, including a Major identified as U.I. Mairiga.
The gunmen reportedly attacked in multiple groups, making their numbers difficult to determine. Sources added that several Nigerian soldiers were killed, while others fled into the bush.
“An attack at Forward Base operations at Banki junction around 0400hrs by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists led to the death of an Army Major and many other soldiers this morning.
“Their corpses are being transferred to 7 Division military hospital in Maiduguri,” a source said.
This comes some weeks after several soldiers were killed in an attack on another military base in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State. During the attack, the gunmen burnt armoured tanks and military vehicles and made away with unquantifiable ammunition.
“An attack occurred this morning, 06/02/2025, at an Army outpost along Maiduguri/Damaturu Road, Jakana town, by Boko Haram terrorists, with many casualties recorded on our side,” a source told SaharaReporters in February.
A few days before the attack, seven military personnel, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel, were killed in an ambush by the terrorists.
SaharaReporters had reported that Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed was leading a troop of soldiers from Maiduguri to Damasak, Mobbar Local Government area of Borno State, when they came under attack by the insurgents on Monday, January 26, 2025.
Military sources said the terrorists used explosives and heavy gunfire. Apart from the dead bodies recovered, many other soldiers were seriously injured, while a yet-to-be-ascertained number of personnel are also still missing.
Since the death of JAS leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has been consolidating its grip in locations around Lake Chad. The sect’s membership has swollen with the defection of hundreds of Boko Haram fighters under Shekau.
