Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Maiduguri, Borno State — Early on Saturday, April 4, 2026, suspected members of the militant Islamist group Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), launched coordinated and deadly assaults on security forces and civilian communities in north-eastern Nigeria. The overnight violence claimed the lives of four police officers who were defending a divisional headquarters in Nganzai Local Government Area, and a local hunter who was killed in a related attack on an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Damasak, authorities have confirmed. The incidents mark one of the most significant recent escalations in the prolonged insurgency that has ravaged Borno State for more than 17 years and highlight enduring challenges for Nigerian security forces and civilians alike.
According to a statement from the Borno State Police Command, the initial assault unfolded at around 1:00 a.m. when a large group of heavily armed fighters attacked the Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters. The assailants reportedly used rocket-propelled grenades and other sophisticated weapons in an attempt to overrun the town and its security installation. Police officers, supported by operatives from the Police Mobile Force and a specialised Crack Squad unit, engaged the militants in an intense and protracted gun battle. Despite their determined resistance, four members of the police force lost their lives. They have been identified as Inspector Samuel Ezekiel of Nganzai Division, Inspector Sanusi Mohammed of the 58 PMF Lafiya detachment, Police Constable Bitrus Luka and Police Constable Shaibu Bukar, both of whom served in the Crack Squad based in Maiduguri.
Parts of the police facility sustained damage during the exchange of fire, and an unserviceable Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was reportedly partially burned by the attackers. Following the clash, the Commissioner of Police of Borno State, Naziru Abdulmajid, visited the scene to assess the situation, commend the bravery of the officers involved and offer condolences to their families and colleagues.
In a separate but related attack at about 2:40 a.m. on the same night, insurgents also struck the Malam Fatori IDP camp in Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area. There, the militants targeted a duty post manned by local hunters and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) volunteers, killing 40-year-old hunter Atom Abua. The assailants burned approximately 20 thatched houses and destroyed other property within the camp before being driven back by a combined response from security personnel, CJTF members and local volunteers.
Authorities reported that, despite the ferocity of the overnight violence, security forces were able to repel both attacks and restore a measure of calm to the affected communities. Security deployments have since been reinforced to deter further incursions and protect vulnerable areas. The Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and to continue providing credible information to assist in ongoing operations.
The funerals for the four fallen officers were held on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Kawar Maila Burial Ground and the Maximum Prison Burial Ground in Maiduguri, with tributes paid in accordance with both Islamic and Christian rites. Senior police leadership, including the Commissioner of Police and the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Operations, attended the solemn ceremonies, honouring the officers’ sacrifice and their unwavering commitment to duty. Chaplains from the police command conducted prayers for the repose of their souls.
The coordinated attacks come as part of a broader pattern of persistent violence in Borno State, the epicentre of the long-running Boko Haram insurgency that began in 2009. Though Nigerian authorities and regional security partners have made tactical gains against jihadist fighters over the years, militants continue to adapt their tactics, dispersing into smaller units and targeting remote security outposts, towns and displacement camps. The attacks on Nganzai and Damasak underscore the militants’ capacity to mount complex operations that inflict casualties on security personnel and civilians alike.
The insurgency has had a profound impact on northeastern Nigeria, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and displacing millions from their homes. Civilians in rural areas, particularly around the borders with neighbouring countries, often live under the constant threat of violence and have limited access to essential services. Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly warned that insecurity undermines relief efforts and prolongs the suffering of those already displaced by conflict.
Officials from the Borno State Police Command emphasised that the recent attacks would not deter security operations. “Our forces remain resolute in pursuing those who perpetrated these attacks and in safeguarding lives and property across the state,” said the police spokesperson, highlighting ongoing efforts to track down the assailants and prevent further violence.
In Maiduguri and surrounding communities, the news of the fatalities has once again stirred deep sadness and concern among residents who have endured years of conflict. Families of the fallen officers expressed grief over their loss while reaffirming support for the security forces’ mission to uphold peace and stability. As military and police units continue operations in response to the attacks, authorities have reiterated appeals for community cooperation and vigilance as part of wider efforts to curb insurgent threats in the region.
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