ISWAP Overrun Army Base in Borno, Several Soldiers Killed, Lieutenant Colonel Injured

ISWAP Overrun Army Base in Borno, Several Soldiers Killed, Lieutenant Colonel Injured

Several Nigerian soldiers were reportedly killed while others sustained injuries after suspected ISWAP terrorists launched a deadly midnight attack on a military base in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack, which occurred late Wednesday night, is the latest in a series of coordinated assaults targeting military formations in Nigeria’s troubled North-East region.

According to security sources, heavily armed militants belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) stormed the military facility in large numbers using gun trucks and motorcycles, catching troops by surprise.

The insurgents reportedly engaged soldiers in hours of intense gunfire before eventually overpowering the troops and forcing them to abandon the base.

Although the exact number of casualties has not been officially confirmed, multiple security sources disclosed that several soldiers lost their lives during the attack.

Among those reportedly injured was the camp commander, Lieutenant Colonel Manu, who sustained wounds during the fierce exchange of fire.

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Sources revealed that the terrorists also carted away military operational vehicles, weapons and ammunition after overrunning the base.

“It was a surprise night attack. The terrorists also made off with military operational vehicles, along with various arms and ammunition,” a security source told Sahara Reporters.

The military formation in Magumeri has long been considered a strategic frontline base in the Nigerian Army’s counterinsurgency campaign against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters operating across Borno State and the Lake Chad region.

Magumeri, located about 35 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, has repeatedly witnessed attacks by insurgents over the years.

Residents in nearby communities reportedly fled their homes as heavy gunfire and explosions echoed across the area during the overnight assault.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. However, military sources indicated that reinforcement troops had been deployed to the area following the attack.

The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over renewed attacks on military formations and communities in northeastern Nigeria.

Only weeks ago, insurgents reportedly killed more than 10 soldiers, including the Commander of Sector 3 under Operation Hadin Kai, Colonel I.A. Mohammed, during a patrol operation near Monguno in Borno State.

Earlier in March, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq and several other soldiers were killed after terrorists overran a military base in Kukawa Local Government Area.

Similarly, another commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu of the 222 Battalion, was killed during coordinated attacks carried out by insurgents in the state.

Days before that attack, militants stormed a military formation in Mayenti, Bama Local Government Area, killing commanding officer Umar Ibrahim Mairiga alongside several troops.

Security analysts say the increasing attacks suggest that ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters are intensifying efforts to target isolated military formations in order to seize weapons, weaken troop presence and expand their operational influence in the North-East.

The insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has persisted for more than a decade, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of residents across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Despite repeated assurances from the Federal Government and military authorities that insurgents have been significantly weakened, attacks on troops, military facilities and civilian communities continue to pose major security challenges in the region.

ISWAP Overrun Army Base in Borno, Several Soldiers Killed, Lieutenant Colonel Injured