Boko Haram terrorists have killed over 20 Nigerian Army personnel, including a commanding officer, two senior officers, and 17 soldiers, at a military base in Borno State.
The attack, which occurred on Friday, January 24, 2025, targeted the 149 Battalion in Malam-Fatori, the headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area, a border town with Niger Republic.
Sources revealed that the insurgents launched their offensive using multiple gun trucks, engaging in a sustained firefight that lasted for several hours.
Many buildings and military operational vehicles were destroyed during the attack, exacerbating the already dire situation for thousands of individuals displaced by the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency, who have sought refuge in Malam-Fatori.
As of Saturday, the death toll included not only the commanding officer but also the base medical director and numerous other soldiers.
In addition to the fatalities, many personnel are reported missing, and several others sustained serious injuries.
This incident follows a brutal assault on the military’s Forward Operating Base in the Damboa Local Government Area just days earlier, also attributed to Boko Haram.
Reports indicate that over seven bodies have been recovered in connection with that attack, which occurred around 4 a.m. on Saturday when the terrorists invaded with an array of weaponry.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has since claimed responsibility for the recent attack, releasing a statement accompanied by images of its members firing towards the military facility.
Since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has been consolidating its influence in areas around Lake Chad, bolstered by the defection of numerous fighters from Shekau’s faction.
Despite the Nigerian Army’s assertions of significant progress against the insurgency, the ongoing violence and loss of life highlight the persistent threat posed by these extremist groups, which have resulted in over 100,000 deaths and the displacement of millions in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states.
