At least eight soldiers have reportedly been killed following an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on a Nigerian Army base along the Mandara–Buratai Road in Borno State.
Military sources said the attack occurred in the early hours of Friday during a heavy downpour, with the insurgents allegedly storming the military formation in large numbers.
A source at the affected base identified as the 162 Battalion confirmed the incident, stating that the attackers struck at about 4 a.m. while troops were contending with poor weather conditions.
According to the source, eight soldiers were killed and beheaded during the assault.
Another military source disclosed that the attackers overran parts of the facility and launched a fierce attack on personnel stationed at the base.
The source further alleged that the insurgents killed eight soldiers and inflicted severe injuries on several others during the raid.
Security sources said reinforcement troops have since been deployed to the area, while military authorities continue efforts to determine the full extent of casualties and assess damage to the facility.
The attack is believed to have taken advantage of the adverse weather conditions, which may have reduced visibility and limited the troops’ ability to respond swiftly.
Although military authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, sources indicated that recovery and clearance operations are ongoing in the affected area.
The latest assault highlights growing concerns over renewed attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on military formations across Nigeria’s North-East region.
In recent months, insurgents have intensified attacks on military bases, communities and critical infrastructure despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations aimed at restoring security in the region.
Security analysts have warned that the resurgence of such attacks underscores the continuing threat posed by insurgent groups operating in parts of Borno and neighbouring states.
