During an attack on a Nigerian Army installation in Borno State, armed rebels connected to Boko Haram are said to have killed numerous troops, including Army Major U. I. Mairiga.
Early on Sunday morning, the attack reportedly targeted a forward military post near the Banki axis.
The attackers reportedly overran the forces positioned at the base after storming it in well-coordinated formations.
According to security sources, the attack took place at the Forward Base Operations along the Bama–Gwaza Road close to the Banki intersection. Hours of intense gunfire could be heard as soldiers tried to fend off the assailants.
Members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, a group that has increased attacks on military units throughout the Northeast, were identified as the militants.
It was confirmed that a senior Army officer was slain in the operation. In the midst of the turmoil, some staff apparently withdrew into nearby bushes, while several more soldiers also died.
An Army Major and numerous other soldiers were killed this morning when gunmen believed to being Boko Haram terrorists attacked Forward Base operations at Banki crossroads at around 0400 hours.
“The 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri is receiving their corpses.”
While attempts are ongoing to find missing individuals, the corpses of the fallen soldiers were sent to a military medical facility in Maiduguri.
A series of previous attacks on military targets in the state have been complemented by the most recent occurrence. In Jakana, in the Kaga Local Government Area, terrorists had attacked an Army base a few weeks prior, destroying armored vehicles and stealing weapons.
“This morning, 06/02/2025, Boko Haram terrorists attacked an Army outpost along Maiduguri/Damaturu Road, Jakana town, resulting in numerous casualties on our side.”
The attack came days after another devastating ambush in which seven soldiers, including a recently promoted Lieutenant Colonel, were slain while on operational mobility.
According to military insiders, the militants used explosives and endured gunfire during these operations, resulting in significant losses and injuries, with several soldiers still missing.
Following the passing of former Boko Haram commander Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has increased its influence in the Lake Chad region, engulfing defectors and exerting more pressure on local security agencies.
In the meantime, in separate operations throughout the state, the Niger State Police Command has retrieved forty-two sheep and arrested four suspected cattle rustlers.
Wasiu Abiodun, the command’s public relations officer, revealed this in a statement on Sunday, stating that the arrests were carried out in response to reliable information.
The statement claims that at approximately 6 p.m. on February 24, police officers from the Crack Squad apprehended and detained the suspects.
The accused were identified as 20-year-old Muhammad Ibeto of Kara via Jebba, 20-year-old Bello Saidu of Kara via Jebba, 20-year-old Abubakar Alhaji of Kara via Jebba, and 23-year-old Abubakar Musa of Maito village via Lemu.
According to Abiodun, the culprits were apprehended after it was reported that they had been spotted near Raba Forest via Mokwa with allegedly stolen animals.
Following the suspects along Jebba-Mokwa road, police officers sprang into action.
He claimed that while some members of the syndicate fled into the forest, four were taken into custody.
The suspects allegedly admitted under questioning to rustling the sheep from Salihu village via Mokwa and made reference to other gang members.
Abiodun stated that the 42 recovered sheep had been claimed by their legitimate owner and that efforts were on to apprehend the escaping culprits.
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