Crime, News, Politics

Over 40 Nigerian Soldiers Killed in Coordinated Boko Haram Assault on Military Bases in Borno

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 8th, 2026.

More than 40 soldiers of the Nigerian Army have been confirmed dead following a series of coordinated attacks by insurgents linked to Boko Haram and its faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.

The attacks, which reportedly occurred late Thursday night and continued into the early hours of Friday, targeted multiple military installations across the region. According to security sources, the assaults were carried out on army positions in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana, and Marte.

Sources familiar with the situation said the insurgents launched the offensive between about 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., attacking the bases in separate groups and opening heavy gunfire on the facilities. The scale and coordination of the operation reportedly overwhelmed some of the military positions, resulting in significant casualties.

Among those killed was Lieutenant Colonel SI Iliyasu, the commanding officer of the 222 Battalion. He and several soldiers under his command were reportedly killed during the attack on the military base in Konduga.

Security sources indicated that more than 40 bodies of soldiers had been recovered as of Saturday, although the exact casualty figure could rise as search efforts continue for personnel who remain missing after the assaults.

In response to the incident, the Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria) reportedly travelled to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, for an emergency security assessment and operational briefing with commanders at the theatre headquarters.

The attacks form part of a continuing wave of violence in Nigeria’s northeast, where insurgent groups have carried out repeated assaults on military installations and civilian communities. According to sources, the attackers also destroyed military assets during the raids, including armoured vehicles and other equipment, while seizing an unspecified quantity of ammunition.

Military personnel stationed in the region said troops engaged the attackers in fierce gun battles and succeeded in neutralising several militants during the confrontations. However, the scale of the offensive reportedly allowed the insurgents to temporarily overrun some of the bases before reinforcements arrived.

The locations targeted during the attacks are considered strategically important. Konduga lies along the route between Bama and Maiduguri, while Mainok and Jakana are positioned on the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway, a key corridor in the region. Marte, another site of the assault, is located near the border with Chad, an area frequently affected by cross-border militant activity.

The latest violence occurred shortly after another deadly attack in Gwoza Local Government Area, where insurgents reportedly stormed a military post in the Ngoshe community. During that incident, several civilians were killed and women were abducted after militants raided the area and attacked a camp for internally displaced persons.

The northeast has experienced years of insurgency, with Boko Haram and ISWAP responsible for thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of residents. Despite ongoing military operations aimed at weakening the groups, attacks on both security forces and civilian targets continue to occur across the region.

Security analysts note that the increasing frequency of assaults on military positions highlights the evolving tactics of insurgent groups operating in the Lake Chad basin area. Authorities say operations against the militants are ongoing as troops continue efforts to stabilise affected communities and prevent further attacks.