Several Nigerian soldiers are feared dead following a deadly attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a military outpost in Jakana, Kaga local government area of Borno state.
According to military sources, the insurgents launched the assault in the early hours of Friday, storming the area in multiple groups and firing heavily before targeting the army base with explosives. The attackers reportedly overwhelmed the troops, resulting in significant casualties.
Sources revealed that many soldiers were killed during the attack, while others sustained injuries and fled into nearby bushes. The bodies of fallen personnel have reportedly been evacuated to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri.
The terrorists were also said to have destroyed several armoured vehicles and military equipment during the raid. In addition, they allegedly looted a large cache of ammunition from the base before retreating.
This latest incident comes amid a renewed wave of attacks on military formations in Borno State. Recall that recently, insurgents attacked another army base in Sabon-Gari, Damboa local government area, killing several soldiers.
In a separate ambush in January, seven military personnel, including a newly-promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, were killed when insurgents attacked a troop movement between Maiduguri and Damasak. The attackers reportedly used explosives and heavy gunfire, leaving several soldiers dead, injured, or missing.
ISWAP has continued to expand its influence in parts of northeastern Nigeria, especially around the Lake Chad region, following internal splits and the death of former Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. The group has carried out repeated attacks on military targets, despite claims by authorities that insurgency has been largely degraded.
