Boko Haram insurgents, aligned with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), launched a deadly assault on a Nigerian Army base in Borno State, killing three soldiers and seizing military equipment.
The attack, which took place in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, lasted for several hours as the militants overran the base, setting fire to buildings and making off with two gun trucks.
A source confirmed that a Staff Sergeant and two private soldiers lost their lives in the assault, though the military has yet to make an official statement. Reinforcements arrived from a nearby unit, but the terrorists had already fled.
This incident follows a similar attack a few weeks earlier when insurgents stormed a Forward Operating Base in Damboa Local Government Area, killing several soldiers and leaving many unaccounted for. ISWAP later claimed responsibility for the raid, sharing images of the assault.
Since the death of Boko Haram’s former leader, Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has expanded its influence, recruiting former Boko Haram fighters and strengthening its hold on areas around Lake Chad. The insurgency has been responsible for over 100,000 deaths and the displacement of millions across Nigeria’s northeastern states.
Despite repeated claims by the Nigerian Army that Boko Haram has been weakened, the frequency of attacks suggests the terror group remains a serious threat in the region.
