In a brazen display of aggression, militants from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have unleashed terror on a Nigerian Army base in Borno State, leaving a trail of destruction and grief.
Through their official propaganda channels, ISWAP released chilling photographs documenting their gruesome assault on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) located in Sabon Gari, within the Damboa Local Government Area. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, has reportedly claimed the lives of several soldiers, with many still unaccounted for.
According to Sahara Reporters, credible security sources revealed that the camp, operated by the 25 Taskforce Brigade, was stormed around 4 a.m. The attackers wielded a variety of sophisticated weapons, overwhelming the troops stationed at the base.
“The terror group launched the offensive using various types of armament, catching the camp off guard,” an insider disclosed. “So far, we have recovered over seven bodies, but many more soldiers are still missing. The casualty count is likely to rise.”
The militant group further claimed responsibility for the assault in a statement, boasting about the destruction inflicted on military assets. Their report detailed the annihilation of 12 armored tanks and multiple vehicles during the raid, amplifying the scale of the attack.
This development underscores the escalating insecurity plaguing the northeastern region of Nigeria, despite repeated assurances from the government and military that insurgency is being contained. The boldness of ISWAP’s operations raises urgent questions about the adequacy of the country’s counterterrorism strategy and the safety of those tasked with protecting the nation.
The Nigerian military is yet to issue an official statement regarding the exact number of casualties or the extent of the damage, leaving many unanswered questions. Meanwhile, the families of the fallen soldiers and the missing personnel are left to grapple with uncertainty and despair.
This attack adds to the growing concerns about ISWAP’s rising dominance and its ability to mount such coordinated assaults on high-value targets. It calls for a decisive and well-coordinated response from both Nigeria and its regional allies to curb the group’s expansion and restore peace to the embattled region.
PIONEER NEWS 