JUST IN: Nigerian Soldiers Ambushed in Sambisa Forest, Several Killed and Wounded

Several Nigerian soldiers were killed and others wounded after an ambush by Boko Haram militants in Sambisa Forest, Borno State, according to reports from SaharaReporters. The attackers were identified as members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram.

The soldiers, part of the 21 Special Armor Brigade, were on a patrol aimed at clearing Boko Haram elements from the area following credible intelligence. Sources indicated the ambush occurred around 6:45 a.m. on Friday.

Sambisa Forest has long served as a base for insurgents, providing cover for training camps, detention centers, and operational hubs. It has also been linked to high-profile abductions, including the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, highlighting its strategic role in northeastern Nigeria’s ongoing conflict.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters shows several soldiers’ bodies on the ground, while wounded personnel receive treatment from colleagues administering IV fluids.

The ambush follows a series of coordinated attacks in recent days. Between Thursday night and early Friday morning, militants reportedly struck military bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana, and Marte, using multiple armed groups. The attackers burned armored vehicles, destroyed military assets, and seized ammunition. Military sources stated that dozens of Boko Haram fighters were killed in counterattacks.

This latest attack comes less than 24 hours after militants killed civilians and abducted women following an assault on a military post in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area. Previous incidents in the region have included deadly ambushes targeting soldiers, including the killing of Major Ibrahim Mairiga at Banki junction and seven military personnel, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed, during an attack on a troop convoy in January 2025.

Military officials have not released an exact casualty count, but reports indicate significant loss of life and serious injuries among the troops involved.

The repeated attacks underscore the ongoing security challenges in Borno State, where insurgent activity continues to threaten both military and civilian populations.