At least 10 Nigerian soldiers have been killed after suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters attacked a military base in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, according to reports.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, targeted the 101 Special Forces Battalion. According to a senior military officer cited by the Associated Press, the insurgents launched the assault from four different directions, putting the troops under significant pressure.
The soldiers, however, reportedly fought back with support from the Nigerian Air Force. The military was able to repel the attackers after a prolonged confrontation, while more than 25 suspected militants were also reported killed during the operation. Ammunition and other military equipment were recovered following the encounter.
The latest attack highlights the continued security challenges facing communities and military formations in parts of northeastern Nigeria, particularly Borno State, which has remained one of the major theatres of the country’s fight against Islamist insurgencies.
ISWAP, which emerged from a faction of Boko Haram, has continued to carry out attacks against military positions and other targets in the region. The group has frequently targeted military bases in an attempt to seize weapons, ammunition and other equipment, while also seeking to weaken the presence of government security forces in areas where it operates.
The assault on the Kukawa base is particularly significant because attacks on military formations can result in casualties among trained personnel and create additional pressure on security agencies already working to protect vulnerable communities across the region.
The Nigerian military has not yet publicly released a full breakdown of the casualties from the latest incident, and further details may emerge as authorities continue to assess the situation.
The attack comes amid continuing efforts by Nigerian security forces to disrupt insurgent operations in the North-East through ground operations, intelligence gathering and air support.
Security operations in Borno and neighbouring states have also focused on preventing insurgents from establishing permanent bases and restricting their ability to move weapons and fighters across the region.
The latest incident is expected to renew calls for stronger protection of military formations and improved intelligence gathering to detect insurgent movements before attacks are launched. It also underscores the risks faced by Nigerian troops deployed to frontline areas where armed groups continue to operate.
