Boko Haram Kills Army Commander, Six Soldiers in Borno Ambush

Boko Haram Kills Army Commander, Six Soldiers in Borno Ambush

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed at least seven Nigerian soldiers, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel, during a coordinated ambush on troops in Borno State, underscoring persistent security threats in Nigeria’s northeast. Military sources said the officer was leading a team of soldiers from Maiduguri to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area when the convoy came under attack on January 26, 2026. The terrorists reportedly deployed explosives and heavy gunfire, leaving multiple casualties and several others seriously injured.

According to security insiders, the bodies of the slain personnel have been deposited at the 7 Division Hospital, while an unspecified number of troops remain missing following the assault. Sources added that the insurgents seized the late commander’s phone, and when senior officers attempted to reach him, suspected militants answered the call — heightening fears about the fate of the missing soldiers. Separate security reports indicate that troops on patrol in the Damasak area encountered militants in a gun battle that left seven soldiers dead, while others escaped and some were reportedly captured.

READ ALSO:

• Northwest Tension Rises as Turji Faction Seizes Rival Bandit Commander
• Security Agencies Arrest Miyetti Allah Leaders Over Alleged Kidnapping, Banditry Sponsorship
• Trump Warns Iran ‘Time Running Out’ for Nuclear Talks; Tehran Promises Fierce Retaliation

In another incident linked to the same volatile region, a Nigerian Army major commanding the Damasak base was reportedly killed after insurgents attacked a military patrol with explosives and gunfire, forcing soldiers to disperse. Only eight troops were said to have returned to base initially, with more than 20 unaccounted for at the time — although conflicting accounts suggested the officer may have been captured before later reports confirmed his death.

The attack highlights the enduring threat posed by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), groups responsible for thousands of deaths and widespread displacement across northeastern Nigeria. Security analysts warn that assaults on military formations have continued despite years of counterinsurgency operations, with fighters increasingly targeting patrol teams and remote bases.

As of press time, there has been no formal statement from the Nigerian Army regarding the latest casualties, rescue efforts, or operational response — a silence that often follows ongoing military engagements in conflict zones. The incident is expected to intensify concerns over troop safety and operational strategy as Nigeria battles a long-running insurgency that has destabilised parts of the Lake Chad region for over a decade.

Boko Haram Kills Army Commander, Six Soldiers in Borno Ambush