Fresh Boko Haram Attack Leaves Colonel, Six Soldiers Dead in Borno

Fresh Boko Haram Attack Leaves Colonel, Six Soldiers Dead in Borno

Less than a week after the death of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, the Nigerian military has confirmed the killing of another senior commanding officer alongside six soldiers in a fresh terrorist ambush in Monguno, Borno State.

The incident occurred during an operation under Operation Hadin Kai, the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the North-East.

According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops of Sector 3 came under attack in the late hours of April 12, 2026, during what was described as an isolated terrorist encounter.

The Army said the commanding officer was killed after his vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while he was moving to assess frontline troops following initial contact with insurgents.

Six soldiers also lost their lives in the attack, while several others reportedly sustained injuries. The military confirmed that the insurgents were eventually repelled and the location secured after intense exchange of fire.

“The terrorists were put to flight, with troops maintaining control of the location,” the statement said, adding that the fallen officer displayed “exceptional courage and selfless service” while responding to the battlefield situation.

Although the Army did not officially release his identity, earlier reports identified the slain officer as Colonel I.A. Muhammad.

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The latest killings have triggered nationwide outrage, with Nigerians expressing concern over the rising toll on security personnel engaged in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.

Security analysts say the attack highlights the continued use of IEDs and ambush tactics by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, who remain active in remote parts of Borno despite sustained military operations.

The incident also comes amid renewed international attention on Nigeria’s security situation. The United States Department of State recently issued a travel advisory allowing voluntary departure of non-essential personnel from its embassy in Abuja and warning against travel to several Nigerian states due to insecurity.

The advisory cited threats including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, and communal violence in other regions. However, the Nigerian government has downplayed the warning, insisting that most parts of the country remain stable and that security challenges are being contained.

In a related development, concerns over civilian casualties have also grown following recent military operations in Borno State, including airstrikes targeting suspected insurgent positions in the Jilli axis. The Nigerian Air Force maintained that such operations are aimed at terrorist targets, though investigations into reported civilian casualties are ongoing.

The Presidency has defended ongoing military actions, arguing that some targeted locations have been used as operational hubs by insurgents, while insisting that efforts are being made to minimise civilian harm.

Meanwhile, calls are increasing for a review of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy, with experts urging greater investment in intelligence, surveillance technology, and troop welfare to reduce battlefield casualties and improve operational success.

The latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges in the North-East, where military personnel continue to face deadly encounters despite years of counter-terrorism operations.

Fresh Boko Haram Attack Leaves Colonel, Six Soldiers Dead in Borno