An unspecified number of Nigerian soldiers are feared to have been killed after suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters attacked a military outpost in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Friday.
Sources within the military said the insurgents invaded the community along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway, shooting indiscriminately before directing explosives at the army facility, according to a report by SaharaReporters.
The attackers were said to have arrived in several groups, overwhelming the soldiers on duty. While some personnel reportedly lost their lives, others were said to have retreated into nearby bushes during the assault.
A senior military source disclosed that the remains of fallen soldiers had been moved to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri.
During the attack, armoured vehicles and other military equipment were reportedly set ablaze, while the assailants made away with a large quantity of ammunition.
The latest incident occurred days after another assault on a military base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area, where troops also suffered casualties.
Earlier on January 26, 2025, seven soldiers, including a recently promoted Lieutenant Colonel, were killed when insurgents ambushed a military convoy travelling from Maiduguri to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly used explosives and heavy gunfire during that ambush.
In addition to those confirmed dead, several soldiers were said to have sustained serious injuries, with some still unaccounted for.
Security observers say ISWAP has continued to strengthen its presence in parts of the Lake Chad region since the death of former Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, drawing in fighters from rival factions.
Although the Nigerian military has maintained that the insurgency has been largely curtailed, recurrent attacks on military formations and communities in Borno and surrounding states suggest that the threat remains significant.