Boko Haram insurgents launched a devastating dawn assault on a military formation at Mandara-Girau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria, in the early hours of Friday, June 5.

The attack, which occurred around 4 a.m., targeted an army position along the Mandara–Buratai axis, a known flashpoint in ongoing counterinsurgency operations.

Security sources reported that the attackers, identified as suspected Boko Haram terrorists, arrived in very large numbers and took the troops by surprise, exploiting heavy rainfall and reduced visibility to launch their coordinated raid.

The surprise offensive resulted in significant casualties among the Nigerian military. According to security sources, nine soldiers were killed, and several others were injured, with one source specifically stating that the killed soldiers were beheaded.

A video clip obtained by a reporter reportedly showed the bodies of eight soldiers covered with blankets on the ground, further attesting to the severity of the attack.

Parts of the military formation, believed to be occupied by troops of the 162 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, were temporarily overwhelmed by the assailants.

The Mandara–Buratai corridor has a history of insurgent activity due to its proximity to mountainous terrain often utilized by armed groups.

The chaos during the confrontation was exacerbated by the difficult weather conditions. Following the assault, reinforcement units from the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) were reportedly deployed to the area to stabilize the situation, regain control, and assess the full extent of the casualties and damage.

Despite the gravity of the incident and multiple reports from security sources and local communities, military authorities have yet to issue an official statement confirming the attack or providing an exact casualty figure.

As of press time, details surrounding the full scale of the assault remain sketchy, with security sources indicating ongoing operations in the affected area and uncertainty continuing to surround the official response from the Nigerian Army.