Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE — At least four police officers and one civilian hunter were killed in coordinated attacks by suspected fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on communities in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno State, security officials confirmed as intense counter-insurgency operations continue in the region. The assaults on Saturday, April 4, 2026, marked one of the most significant militant actions in weeks and highlighted persistent gaps in security despite ongoing efforts by Nigerian forces.
According to a statement from the Borno State Police Command, the first major assault began around 1:00 a.m. when heavily armed terrorists attacked the Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters in Nganzai Local Government Area. The group, believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram and ISWAP, launched the offensive in an apparent bid to overrun the town and seize the station, deploying Rocket-Propelled Grenades and other sophisticated weapons.
Police officers, supported by units from the Police Mobile Force and Crack Squad personnel on special duty, engaged the insurgents in a prolonged and fierce gun battle that lasted more than an hour. Despite being outgunned, the security personnel resisted the advance, preventing the militants from overwhelming the town. However, the attack inflicted casualties among the defenders, and four police officers died in the line of duty. The command later identified the deceased as Inspectors Samuel Ezekiel and Sanusi Mohammed, and Police Constables Bitrus Luka and Shaibu Bukar, all of whom were serving in various capacities across the formation.
The militant offensive also caused material damage to the station. Insurgents damaged parts of the police facility and partially burnt an unserviceable Armoured Personnel Carrier that had been stationed at the headquarters. Security forces, including the police, military personnel, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, and local hunters, responded swiftly to contain the situation and eventually forced the attackers to retreat into surrounding forested areas.
Less than two hours after the Nganzai attack, fighters struck again at around 2:40 a.m., this time at the Mallam Fatori Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Damasak town, Mobbar Local Government Area. The camp, which hosts thousands of residents displaced by years of insurgency, was targeted at its main entrance, where members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters were on duty.
During the attack on the camp, a 40-year-old hunter named Atom Abua was killed while attempting to repel the attackers. Militants set ablaze about 20 thatched houses and destroyed other properties within the camp before security reinforcements arrived. The coordinated nature of the two assaults demonstrated both the squads’ willingness to strike state security formations and vulnerable civilian sites.
The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, later condemned the attacks and extended condolences to the families of the slain officers and the hunter. In statements to the press, he underscored the bravery and resilience of the security personnel who confronted the insurgents despite being heavily armed. Abdulmajid also announced the deployment of additional police and military personnel to Nganzai and Damasak to reinforce security, deter further incursions and protect residents.
Local residents reported a tense and frightening night as the gun battles echoed through the communities. Women and children were seen fleeing in the early hours, seeking safety in nearby forests and villages as explosions and gunfire lit up the horizon. Although normalcy was restored later in the morning, many camp inhabitants remained uneasy given the scale and audacity of the attack.
The insurgents’ use of Rocket-Propelled Grenades and other heavy weaponry underscores the continuing threat posed by Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP, in northeastern Nigeria. These groups have for years waged a brutal insurgency against the state, targeting military formations, government installations and civilian populations. Analysts say the tactic of launching simultaneous assaults on separate fronts—as seen in Nganzai and Damasak—is designed to stretch security forces thin and exploit vulnerabilities.
The attack came amid a broader escalation of militant activities throughout Borno State and neighbouring areas. Just weeks earlier, suspected suicide bombers struck Maiduguri, the state capital, killing at least 23 people and injuring more than 100 others in what security officials described as one of the deadliest single strikes in recent months. The triple explosions occurred in crowded areas, including a market and post office, and underscored the insurgents’ ability to reach deep into fortified urban centres.
The Maiduguri incident and the Nganzai-Damasak attacks reflect persistent challenges confronting Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy. While security forces have made tactical gains and thwarted many planned raids, militants continue to adapt and exploit gaps in intelligence and response. Civilian populations and local defence groups such as the Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters often find themselves on the frontline of these confrontations, bearing the brunt of violence when large attacks unfold.
Political leaders and community representatives have condemned the weekend violence, calling for urgent reinforcement of security infrastructure and a renewed strategy that blends military action with community protection and rehabilitation efforts. Analysts stress that without a comprehensive approach addressing root causes of extremism—including marginalisation, poverty and lack of opportunities—isolated victories on the battlefield may do little to stem the long-term threat.
As Borno State mourns the loss of its servicemen and a civilian defender, security agencies have vowed to intensify operations to track down perpetrators and dismantle their networks. For residents of Nganzai, Damasak and other frontier communities, the message from authorities is clear: the fight against terrorism continues, even as the human toll remains high.
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