Nigeria army base attack leaves at least 10 soldiers dead in Borno state

Suspected Boko Haram militants launched a coordinated assault against a military base in northeastern Nigeria, killing at least 10 troops and six other people, according to military sources and local residents.

The attack took place on Tuesday night in the Guzamala local government area of Borno state. Armed fighters stormed the army post, overwhelmed stationed personnel, wrecked military vehicles, and set several structures ablaze in the neighboring community of Mairari.

Two military insiders, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were barred from talking to the press, said that at least 20 people sustained injuries during the raid. In addition to the fallen soldiers, the sources confirmed that five civilians and a forest guard lost their lives.

Prior to striking the military post, the armed group targeted Tumbun Barebari, a lakeside settlement in the vicinity, where they confiscated over 40 fishing vessels. Jibrin Hassan, a local resident whose craft was taken during the incident, recounted the theft. Another fisherman, Babagana Muhammad, described the events as a coordinated series of strikes, noting that while their vessels were taken, the fishermen themselves were left physically unharmed.

A spokesperson for the armed forces, Captain Mohammed Goni, had not responded to requests for comment regarding the raid as of Thursday.

Northeastern Nigeria continues to face sustained insurgent violence from Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province. Despite protracted military counteroffensives spanning 17 years, clashes in the region have increased in recent weeks.

Just last week, government forces in Borno state pushed back an assault by Islamic State West Africa Province militants, reporting the deaths of more than 25 insurgents. The armed forces did not reveal the extent of their own casualties following that engagement.