At least 19 soldiers, including a commanding officer, lost their lives in a deadly attack on a military base in Malam-Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
The border town, located about two kilometers from Bosso in Niger Republic, came under siege on Friday, January 24, 2025, in a coordinated assault believed to have been carried out by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Sources disclosed that the attackers, arriving in multiple gun trucks, launched a sustained onslaught on the 149 Battalion, leaving several soldiers dead, others injured, and many unaccounted for.
Survivors reportedly fled for safety as the attackers destroyed military vehicles and buildings during the raid.
Among the casualties were the battalion’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Alari, two senior officers, and the base’s medical director.
The attack occurred while troops were conducting routine operations in the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious ISWAP stronghold, where they were ambushed.
The Defence Headquarters and Nigerian Army have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
ISWAP, a faction that broke away from Boko Haram in 2016, has increasingly asserted dominance in the region, taking over areas such as the Timbuktu Triangle and the Sambisa Forest.
Known for using roadside mines and vehicle-borne explosives, the group has intensified its campaign against military and civilian targets in recent years.
The 15-year insurgency in northeast Nigeria has claimed approximately 40,000 lives and displaced over two million people, with the violence spreading to neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
Efforts by a regional military coalition to curb the group’s activities continue as ISWAP remains a significant threat in the region.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate