At least 10 Nigerian soldiers have been killed after suspected jihadist fighters launched coordinated raids on several military positions in Nigeria’s northeast, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing the region.
The attacks were reportedly carried out by militants linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), extremist groups that have waged a violent insurgency against the Nigerian state for more than a decade.
Multiple attacks across Borno and Yobe
Security sources said one of the major assaults occurred in Kukawa, Borno State, near the Lake Chad area, where ISWAP fighters launched an attack on a military base. The raid triggered a fierce gun battle between soldiers and the insurgents, leaving four soldiers, including a commander, dead.
Local sources said the confrontation lasted for hours as troops attempted to repel the attackers before the militants eventually withdrew.
Another attack was reported in Dalwa community in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, where gunmen killed two soldiers and four civilians. During the raid, the attackers reportedly set more than 200 houses on fire, forcing residents to flee and leaving large parts of the community destroyed.
The wave of attacks also spread to Goniri town in neighbouring Yobe State, where militants raided another military facility. Security sources said four soldiers were killed while several military buildings and vehicles were destroyed during the assault.
Military response
Although the raids resulted in casualties, military authorities said the attacked bases were not captured by insurgents and remained under government control after troops repelled the attackers.
A military spokesman acknowledged that some soldiers lost their lives in the clashes but maintained that operations were ongoing to track down the attackers and prevent further assaults.
Renewed insurgent activity
Security analysts say the attacks reflect renewed pressure from insurgent groups, which have recently stepped up operations in parts of the northeast. These raids often involve coordinated strikes on multiple locations, allowing militants to overwhelm isolated military positions before retreating.
Insurgents also frequently target military bases to capture weapons, ammunition and vehicles, strengthening their operational capabilities.
A long-running conflict
Nigeria’s insurgency began in 2009 with the rise of Boko Haram and has since evolved into one of Africa’s longest and deadliest conflicts. Over the years, the violence has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, particularly across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
Despite ongoing military offensives and regional cooperation with neighbouring countries around the Lake Chad Basin, extremist groups continue to carry out attacks on both civilians and security forces.
The latest coordinated raids have once again raised concerns about the resilience of jihadist groups and the continuing security challenges in Nigeria’s northeast.
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