By John Umeh
Renewed Violence in Borno
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has launched yet another deadly assault on Nigerian military personnel, claiming the lives of four soldiers in a surprise attack on a forward operating base in Borno State. The ambush, which occurred late Sunday night in the outskirts of Mafa Local Government Area, is the latest in a string of violent offensives by the extremist group targeting security installations in the northeast.
Military sources confirmed that the terrorists stormed the facility in large numbers, using gun trucks and motorcycles. The attack reportedly began with a barrage of rocket-propelled grenades and heavy gunfire, catching the soldiers off guard. Despite a swift response by the troops stationed at the base, four soldiers were killed in the line of duty, while several others sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
A senior military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said reinforcements were quickly deployed from nearby locations, forcing the insurgents to retreat after a prolonged exchange of gunfire. “They came heavily armed and in tactical formation. Our troops fought bravely, but unfortunately, we lost four men. Their sacrifice will not be in vain,” the officer said.
Strategic Concerns and Military Response
The Mafa axis has long been a strategic corridor for ISWAP movements, offering access to both Maiduguri and other rural strongholds in Borno. The frequency and precision of recent attacks have raised concerns over the group’s expanding capabilities and intelligence-gathering operations. Military analysts say the latest attack demonstrates ISWAP’s intent to undermine military morale and reclaim lost ground.
In response to the assault, the Nigerian Army has launched an aggressive counter-offensive operation. Aerial reconnaissance missions and ground sweeps have reportedly commenced in and around the area to track down the fleeing militants. The Nigerian Air Force, in collaboration with ground troops under Operation Hadin Kai, is expected to intensify surveillance and drone operations in the region.
Speaking on the development, Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, assured Nigerians that the military remains resolute in the fight against terrorism. “These attacks, while painful, only strengthen our resolve. We are adapting our strategy and will continue to hunt down these criminals wherever they may hide,” he said in a press statement.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to supporting the armed forces in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign. The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of desperation by a defeated enemy.”
Civilian Impact and Broader Security Implications
Beyond the military casualties, the attack has triggered fear and anxiety among nearby civilian populations. Residents of Mafa and surrounding villages are calling for increased military presence and better protection. Some locals have begun fleeing their communities amid fears of further attacks or reprisals.
Humanitarian workers operating in the northeast warn that escalating insecurity could further disrupt aid delivery to displaced persons and vulnerable communities. “Each time there’s an attack on a military facility, it sends a message of insecurity that affects everything from school attendance to food distribution,” said a UN aid official in Maiduguri.
The Borno State Government has also condemned the assault, with Governor Babagana Zulum expressing condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and pledging more collaboration with the military to safeguard rural communities. “The sacrifice of these brave soldiers will not go unnoticed. We will continue to work with security agencies to restore peace,” he said.
The Nigerian military has made considerable gains in the past two years in dislodging ISWAP fighters from major territories, but the insurgents have increasingly shifted toward asymmetric warfare—targeting isolated outposts, ambushing convoys, and deploying improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
As the nation mourns the loss of its servicemen, security experts warn that unless intelligence operations are boosted and local communities are more deeply integrated into surveillance networks, attacks like the one in Mafa may persist.
The nation now watches closely as the military responds, determined to ensure that those responsible for this latest act of terror are brought to justice.
