Suspected fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province have attacked a military formation in Borno State, killing an Army Major and several other soldiers in a predawn assault on Sunday.
Military sources said that the insurgents stormed the Forward Operating Base at Banki junction along the Bama–Gwoza Road at about 4 a.m., opening fire on troops and triggering a fierce gun battle.
The attackers, said to have advanced in multiple groups, reportedly overwhelmed the base after sporadic but intense gunfire, leaving a yet-to-be-confirmed number of casualties.
Among those killed was a senior officer identified as Major U.I. Mairiga. The bodies of the fallen soldiers were being evacuated to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri as of press time.
A source familiar with the operation said, “The attack at the Forward Operating Base in Banki junction occurred around 0400 hours. An Army Major and several soldiers were killed. Their remains are being moved to Maiduguri.”
The assault is the latest in a series of renewed offensives by insurgents in the North-East, raising fresh concerns over the security situation in the region.
In February, terrorists attacked an Army outpost in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area, along the Maiduguri–Damaturu Road, killing several soldiers and destroying armoured vehicles.
Military sources had disclosed that the assailants also carted away weapons and ammunition during the raid.
Earlier in January, seven personnel, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel, were killed in an ambush while travelling from Maiduguri to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area.
The insurgents reportedly deployed explosives and heavy gunfire during the attack, leaving several others injured and some declared missing.
Security analysts say the recent spate of attacks underscores the growing operational capacity of ISWAP fighters following internal shifts within the broader Boko Haram insurgency.
Since the death of former factional leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has consolidated its presence around the Lake Chad basin, reportedly absorbing defectors and expanding its territorial influence.
The Nigerian military authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the latest incident as of the time of filing this report.
The renewed violence comes amid sustained military operations aimed at flushing out remnants of insurgent groups from their enclaves in the North-East.
However, Sunday’s attack highlights the persistent threat posed by extremist factions despite years of counter-insurgency efforts.
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