An unconfirmed number of Nigerian soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force have been killed following a deadly assault by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a military base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Military sources told SaharaReporters that the attack took place on Thursday after insurgents stormed the military formation, firing heavily and causing significant casualties among security personnel and allied local forces.
“There was an attack, many soldiers were killed, but I don’t have the correct figure yet,” a source told SaharaReporters on Saturday.
According to the source, the attackers torched armoured tanks and several military vehicles during the raid, while also carting away an unspecified quantity of ammunition.
The extremist group has since claimed responsibility for the operation, releasing a statement accompanied by a video showing fighters firing towards the military facility.
The latest attack follows another deadly ambush earlier in the week that claimed the lives of seven military personnel, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed. He was leading troops from Maiduguri to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area on Monday, January 26, 2026, when their convoy was targeted.
Military sources said the assailants deployed explosives and heavy gunfire during the ambush. While some bodies have been recovered, several soldiers reportedly sustained serious injuries, and an undetermined number of personnel remain missing.
Security analysts note that ISWAP has been strengthening its presence around the Lake Chad region since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. The group has reportedly expanded its ranks following the defection of hundreds of fighters previously loyal to Shekau.
Despite repeated assurances from the Nigerian Army that the insurgency has largely been brought under control, militant groups continue to stage high-impact attacks across the North East, often inflicting heavy losses that officials are accused of downplaying.
The conflict, which has persisted for over a decade, has resulted in more than 100,000 deaths and forced millions of people from their homes, particularly in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states.
