B’Haram Overruns Borno Military Base, Kills Soldiers, CJTF Members
Boko Haram insurgents on Friday launched a deadly attack on a Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, killing soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Confirming the incident, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Haruna Sani, said the terrorists attacked the military formation at about 3 a.m. under heavy rainfall and poor visibility.
He noted that troops mounted a fierce resistance and successfully repelled the attackers despite the challenging conditions.
According to Sani, five soldiers lost their lives during the intense gun battle and close-quarter combat, while three CJTF members also died in the attack.
He added that wounded personnel were airlifted by the Air Component Command for medical treatment and are currently in stable condition.
The military spokesman described the fallen troops as heroes whose sacrifice reflected the highest standards of courage, service, and commitment to national security.
“The determined response of our troops frustrated the terrorists’ attempt to overrun the base and inflicted casualties on the attackers,” Sani stated, adding that troops remain firmly in control of the location and have continued exploitation operations in the area.
Operation HADIN KAI further assured residents that additional troops and combat assets had been deployed across the North-East to sustain pressure on terrorist groups and protect vulnerable communities.
However, local sources painted a grimmer picture of the attack, claiming the insurgents operated within the military base for nearly an hour during the downpour. Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, confirmed the incident and disclosed that multiple locations were targeted.
He urged the government to strengthen grassroots intelligence networks and community engagement to help track terrorist movements and prevent future attacks.
Military sources also disputed the official casualty figure, alleging that the number of soldiers killed exceeded eight.
One source claimed the terrorists pursued fleeing troops after breaching the base, while another insisted that several soldiers were killed and others injured during the assault.
A viral video circulating online showed the aftermath of the attack, with bodies of soldiers and CJTF members seen at different points within the military formation.