At least 20 Nigerian soldiers, including a commanding officer, were killed in an attack on an army base in Malam-Fatori, a remote town in northeastern Borno State, security sources and residents confirmed on Sunday.
The assault, which occurred on Friday, was carried out by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), who arrived in gun trucks and launched a surprise attack on the 149 Battalion, located near Nigeria’s border with Niger.
One soldier who survived the attack described the scene as a relentless barrage. “They rained bullets everywhere. We tried so much to repel the attacks, and after more than three hours of gun duel, they overpowered us, killing our commanding officer, a lieutenant colonel,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The soldier added that 20 troops were killed, with several others injured.
Residents who fled the area reported that the attackers remained in Malam-Fatori until late Saturday, burning buildings and forcing some civilians to flee. Malakaka Bukar, a member of the local militia supporting the army, stated that the militants also preached to some residents during their occupation of the town.
