Many Nigerian soldiers are feared dead following a deadly attack by Boko Haram insurgents on a military base in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack was carried out by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, in the early hours of Friday morning.
According to military sources, the attackers stormed the town in large numbers, firing indiscriminately before launching explosives at the army outpost.
The exact number of insurgents could not be determined, as they reportedly arrived in different groups from multiple directions.
A senior military source confirmed that many soldiers were killed during the assault, while others were forced to flee into nearby bushes to escape the heavy gunfire.
The bodies of fallen soldiers have since been taken to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri.
During the raid, the insurgents also set fire to armoured tanks and military vehicles, and carted away a large quantity of weapons and ammunition.
This attack comes just days after another deadly ambush in which seven military personnel, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel, were killed.
The officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed, was leading troops from Maiduguri to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area when they were attacked on January 26, 2025.
Security sources revealed that Boko Haram fighters used explosives and heavy gunfire in both attacks. While some bodies have been recovered, many soldiers sustained serious injuries, and several others are still missing.
Since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has strengthened its presence around the Lake Chad region, absorbing hundreds of former Boko Haram fighters and expanding its influence across parts of northeastern Nigeria.
Despite repeated assurances from the Nigerian Army that insurgency has been largely defeated, attacks like this continue to raise concerns about security in the region.
The insurgency has claimed over 100,000 lives and displaced millions of people, particularly in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, making it one of Nigeria’s most devastating security challenges.
