“Eight Soldiers Killed, 11 Gun Trucks Destroyed, Anti-Aircraft Weapons Seized in ISWAP Raid” — Security Sources

Eight Nigerian soldiers were killed and 23 others injured after fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a military base in Borno State, security sources have said.

The assault occurred on Monday at a base in Cross Kauwa village. Three security sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said about 70 ISWAP fighters arrived on motorcycles and engaged troops in a sustained gun battle.

“Eight soldiers paid the supreme price, and 23 others sustained injuries,” one military officer said.

Two members of an anti-jihadist militia supporting the military said the attackers mobilised from Dabar Masara island in Lake Chad, travelling a considerable distance before striking the base. According to one of the militia sources, the fighters set fire to the facility, destroyed 11 gun trucks and removed mounted anti-aircraft weapons.

The base, roughly 24 kilometres from Baga, serves as a strategic position shielding the town from insurgent attacks.

The incident comes amid renewed assaults on military facilities in Borno State. Over the weekend, ISWAP fighters attacked a base in Mandaragirau near the Sambisa forest, causing casualties among soldiers and militia members, according to the military.

In a separate attack, Boko Haram targeted a base in Pulka near the Cameroon border. Military authorities said the attackers damaged equipment and accommodation before reinforcements repelled the assault.

The insurgency in northeast Nigeria has lasted more than a decade, with the United Nations estimating over 40,000 deaths and about two million people displaced. The conflict has extended into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

Regional security cooperation has weakened in recent years, particularly after Niger withdrew from joint operations following diplomatic tensions with Nigeria after the 2023 coup.

The United States Africa Command has said around 200 personnel will be deployed to Nigeria to provide technical and training support for counter-insurgency efforts.