Boko Haram Attacks Military Camp in Borno, Kills 20 Soldiers

Boko Haram militants launched a deadly attack on a military camp in Kareto, Borno State, on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Although official casualty figures remain unconfirmed, military sources report that approximately 20 soldiers were killed in the assault.

The attack, attributed to fighters affiliated with the Islamic State, was reportedly carried out with heavy weaponry, including a suicide car bomb. The insurgents engaged in fierce clashes with Nigerian Army forces, resulting in significant material damage. Among the losses was a military vehicle, which was destroyed during the assault. The fighters also captured several items, including four four-wheel drive vehicles and a range of weaponry, before setting fire to the camp and withdrawing.

Sources confirm that the militants managed to take control of the camp briefly, torching 14 vehicles in the process.

In the wake of the attack, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum expressed his condolences to the military and the families of the fallen soldiers. He condemned the assault, calling it a brutal reminder of the Boko Haram insurgents’ ongoing campaign to destabilize the region.

Governor Zulum also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian military in its fight against insurgency, emphasizing that the attack would not deter the government’s efforts to resettle displaced persons and restore stability in the region. He called on the people of Borno to stand firm in support of the armed forces.

“This heinous act underscores the desperation of Boko Haram to undermine the progress we have made in resettling displaced persons and rebuilding our communities,” Zulum said in a statement. “We remain resolute in our determination to work alongside the military to secure our state and deliver much-needed development to our people.”

The Borno State government has vowed to continue collaborating with the military to protect the state and advance peacebuilding initiatives, despite the ongoing threats posed by insurgent groups.