Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have launched a series of coordinated attacks across Borno State, targeting a military base, a police station, and a hospital in a renewed offensive that has left scores dead and injured, while raising fresh concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria's North-East.
In the early hours of Monday, suspected Boko Haram terrorists overran a military base in Kukawa Local Government Area, killing the commanding officer and several soldiers in a fresh assault on security forces. A resident of the town confirmed the attack, which also saw the terrorists set ablaze military vehicles and cart away weapons. In a separate raid, IS-affiliated jihadists attacked a military base in Borno State, killing eight Nigerian soldiers and injuring 23 others, according to three security sources who spoke with AFP. The attack, carried out by about 70 fighters from ISWAP, involved rocket-propelled grenades and explosive-laden drones.
In a separate incident, Boko Haram insurgents attacked a police station in Jakana, killing two residents and setting ablaze two police patrol vehicles and a Civilian Joint Task Force vehicle. The attack on the police station lasted about an hour and a half, with military backup called in to assist. Additionally, a hospital in Maiduguri was bombed in what security experts have condemned as a heinous act against innocent civilians and healthcare workers. The attack on the hospital is part of a broader pattern of terrorists targeting medical facilities, with similar incidents recorded in Gwoza where female suicide bombers targeted a wedding, a funeral, and a hospital in coordinated attacks that killed at least 32 people.
In a related development, the Borno State Police Command confirmed that at least 23 people were killed and 108 injured in multiple explosions across Maiduguri. The attacks targeted several locations, including the Maiduguri Central Market (Monday Market), the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover. Preliminary investigations indicate that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has since conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the affected locations to boost the morale of residents.
President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to take charge of the security situation and intensify ongoing operations against terrorist elements. The military has also reported successes, with troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelling a night attack by ISWAP terrorists on Forward Operating Base Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area. The troops inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists and recovered weapons, including AK-47 rifles and Rocket Propelled Gun tubes.
The recent attacks underscore a resurgence of violence in Borno State, which has been the epicentre of Nigeria's 16-year battle against jihadist groups. Despite military efforts to consolidate outposts into heavily fortified "super camps," ISWAP and Boko Haram factions continue to launch deadly strikes across the region. The attacks have also forced authorities to temporarily close major highways, such as the 120-kilometre Maiduguri–Damaturu road, to allow bomb disposal units to remove explosives planted by militants. As the violence continues, residents and security forces brace for further attacks, while the government faces mounting pressure to address the persistent instability in the region.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments