Boko Haram militants have killed at least 20 Cameroonian soldiers in a raid on the Nigerian border town of Wulgo. The attack, which occurred early Tuesday morning, is one of the latest incidents in the ongoing conflict in the Lake Chad region, where Boko Haram and other extremist groups continue to pose a significant security threat to both Nigeria and its neighboring countries.
The fighters, who disguised themselves as herders and traders, infiltrated Wulgo, a border town located near the volatile Lake Chad. This region, which spans across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, has long been a hotbed for jihadist groups, including Boko Haram and its rival, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The two groups continue to fight for control of territory in the area, often leading to violent clashes and loss of life.
The militants attacked the military bases around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, launching a surprise raid that lasted for two hours. The fighters, who had disguised themselves as herders and traders in the nearby city of Gamboru, managed to infiltrate the town and catch the Cameroonian troops off guard. The militants then overwhelmed the soldiers, burning the military bases and making off with heavy weapons, including Soviet-made Shilka anti-aircraft guns.
“The insurgents attacked the bases at 1:00 a.m., and fighting continued for about two hours before they subdued the troops. They then burned the bases and took away heavy weapons,” said one intelligence source who was involved in the long-running fight against the militants. The source, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, confirmed that 20 Cameroonian soldiers were killed in the fighting. Their bodies were reportedly transported across the border into Cameroon later that morning.
The militants’ raid highlights the increasing complexity of the conflict, as Boko Haram continues to blend in with local populations and adopt new tactics to evade detection. On Monday, the militants had already infiltrated the nearby Gamboru market, posing as herders to avoid suspicion. Then, under the cover of night, they moved into Wulgo to launch their attack, catching the military completely off-guard.
The aftermath of the attack was grim, with witnesses describing a scene of destruction. Local resident Muhammad Sani Umar, who visited Wulgo on Tuesday, said that military trucks were seen carrying the bodies of the fallen soldiers across the border into Cameroon. “I saw three Cameroonian military trucks conveying 13 bodies across the border into Cameroon this morning,” Umar told AFP.
The military bases targeted in the attack were left in ruins. Umar described the buildings as torched and vehicles burned, reflecting the severity of the assault. “The attacked military bases were a mess, with the buildings torched and vehicles burnt,” he added.
The region around Wulgo has been a hotspot for Boko Haram activity since the group’s stronghold in Sambisa Forest was lost to ISWAP in 2021. Following this defeat, Boko Haram shifted its operations to areas around Lake Chad, including towns like Wulgo, Waza, Gwoza, and Pulka, which are located along the border with Cameroon.
Boko Haram militants have frequently targeted these areas, kidnapping and killing civilians, including loggers, herders, and scrap metal scavengers. They accuse these individuals of working with the military or local militias to gather intelligence on their movements.
The attack in Wulgo is just the latest in a series of violent incidents tied to the ongoing insurgency in the Lake Chad region. Since the insurgency began in 2009, Boko Haram has killed over 40,000 people and displaced more than two million others across Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. The group’s operations have not only devastated communities but also destabilized the entire region, leading to a regional military coalition formed to combat the jihadist threat.
In addition to Boko Haram, ISWAP has also become a significant player in the region’s ongoing conflict. ISWAP, an offshoot of Boko Haram, has taken control of several key territories and continues to engage in violent attacks against military and civilian targets.
The attack in Wulgo is a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced by the Lake Chad Basin countries, which are struggling to contain the spread of extremist violence. Both Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to challenge the authority of local governments, relying on guerrilla tactics and insurgency operations to maintain their presence in the region.
Cameroonian forces have been active in the fight against Boko Haram, often operating across the border in Nigeria as part of a regional effort to combat the jihadist groups in the area. The town of Wulgo, located near Lake Chad, is one of several areas in the border region where Cameroonian troops are stationed to help maintain security and prevent militant incursions into the country.
Cameroonian troops have faced numerous challenges in their efforts to secure the border, including limited resources and the difficult terrain of the Lake Chad region. Despite these challenges, the Cameroonian military has remained a key player in the regional fight against Boko Haram and other extremist groups.
The violence in the Lake Chad region has had far-reaching consequences for the civilian population, with countless families displaced and livelihoods destroyed. Communities living in areas near the border with Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger have faced constant threats from Boko Haram and other armed groups, making it difficult for residents to lead normal lives.
The impact of the conflict is not only felt in terms of human casualties but also in the disruption of local economies. Many farmers, herders, and traders have been forced to abandon their work due to the threat of violence, while those who remain often live in constant fear of attack.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the four countries in the region — Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger — have formed a regional military coalition aimed at combating the jihadist insurgency. The coalition, known as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), has had some success in pushing back Boko Haram and ISWAP forces, but the ongoing violence shows that much work remains to be done.
