Breaking…Many soldiers killed as Boko Haram fighters storm military base in Borno

Tragedy struck in Borno State after suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly attack on a Nigerian military base, reportedly killing several soldiers in the process.

The assault, believed to have been carried out by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), targeted a military formation in Sabon Gari, located in Damboa Local Government Area. ISWAP, an Islamic State-backed faction that split from Boko Haram, has continued to intensify its operations across Nigeria’s North-East region.

According to a report by Sahara Reporters, military sources said the attack took place on Thursday when insurgents stormed the base, firing sporadically and inflicting heavy casualties on troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

“There was an attack, many soldiers were killed, but I don’t have the correct figure yet,” a source said.

During the raid, the attackers set ablaze armoured tanks and other military vehicles before fleeing with an unspecified quantity of ammunition, the source added. ISWAP later claimed responsibility for the assault in a statement, which was accompanied by a video showing its fighters firing repeatedly toward the military facility.

The latest incident comes just days after seven military personnel, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel, were killed in a separate ambush by insurgents in the state.

The online newspaper had reported that Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed was leading troops from Maiduguri to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State when they were attacked on Monday, January 26, 2026.

According to military sources, the assailants deployed explosives and heavy gunfire during the ambush. While several bodies were recovered, many soldiers sustained serious injuries, and an undetermined number of personnel remain missing.

Since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has strengthened its presence in communities around Lake Chad, bolstered by the defection of hundreds of fighters previously loyal to Shekau.

Despite repeated claims by the Nigerian Army that the insurgency has largely been defeated, reports of attacks and casualties have continued, with official accounts often downplaying losses.

The conflict has resulted in more than 100,000 deaths and displaced millions of people, primarily across Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states.