ISWAP Terrorists Unleash Deadly Attack On Borno Base, 15 Soldiers Dead

This is about fifteen soldiers who were reportedly to lost their lives following a recent assault by suspected fighters from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The attack targeted a military formation located in Borno State, and according to military sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, the devastating incident transpired on Tuesday at the Mairari military base, situated within the Guzamala Local Government Area of the state.

Mairari, though administratively part of Guzamala LGA, is geographically close to Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area.

Reports from sources indicate that the terrorists launched their offensive in considerable numbers, initiating a fierce gun battle with the stationed troops that persisted for several hours.

One source intimately familiar with the incident recounted to SaharaReporters that "Many soldiers were killed and many are still missing after the attack." Another source corroborated the severity of the engagement, stating that numerous soldiers also sustained injuries and were subsequently evacuated.

This source confirmed, "The incident happened on Tuesday in Borno State at the Mairari military base. They killed about 15 soldiers and many were injured."

SaharaReporters obtained video footage from the aftermath, which graphically depicted the extent of the destruction.

One video revealed burnt makeshift shelters constructed with corrugated iron sheets, along with destroyed defensive sandbags and other structures within the base completely razed.

A separate video showcased several military gun trucks and Hilux vehicles incinerated beyond recognition, with their chassis charred and scattered across the sandy terrain.

An abandoned motorcycle was also visible in the open field as troops and local residents surveyed the ruins at dawn, providing stark confirmation that the military base had been utterly destroyed and looted.

Attempts by SaharaReporters to elicit a response from military authorities regarding the attack were unsuccessful, with no official statement or comment being provided.

This attack on the Mairari base is the latest in a series of renewed aggressions against military positions across northern Borno.

These LGAs; Guzamala and Nganzai are particularly notorious for frequent attacks, with both ISWAP and Boko Haram maintaining a significant presence in the axis.

The broader context of these incidents highlights the persistent threat posed by jihadist groups in the region.

Earlier in October, specifically on the 10th, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai reportedly conducted a precision airstrike.

This operation targeted an ISWAP enclave at Badu Village, located south of Gudumbali within the same Guzamala LGA. Authorities claimed that this strike resulted in the neutralization of over 40 fighters, including a commander, who were allegedly preparing to attack troops in Sector 3.

Prior to this, on October 7, troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion successfully repelled a coordinated attack launched from four different directions in Kukawa LGA.

While the Army reported killing over 25 terrorists in that engagement, it also acknowledged that some soldiers made the "supreme price," indicating casualties among their ranks.

Borno State continues to serve as the epicentre of an unrelenting jihadist insurgency that has plagued the region for over seventeen years.

This protracted conflict has tragically claimed the lives of thousands of individuals and led to the displacement of millions more, underscoring the severe humanitarian and security crisis in the area.