Suspected fighters of Boko Haram have attacked another military base in Borno State, killing the commanding officer and several soldiers during a midnight assault.
The attack reportedly took place in the early hours of Monday in Kukawa Local Government Area, a region that has experienced repeated insurgent activities in recent years.
Local sources said the attackers stormed the town around 12:30 a.m., launching a coordinated assault on the military camp located in the area.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on military facilities and communities in the North-East, where Nigerian security forces have been battling insurgent groups for more than a decade.
According to residents familiar with the incident, the insurgents entered Kukawa from different directions before launching their attack on the military formation.
A source from the town said the gunmen arrived in large numbers and opened fire as they advanced toward the base.
“terrorists stormed the town from multiple directions and launched an attack on the military camp,” the source said.
Another security source confirmed that the insurgents succeeded in dislodging the troops stationed at the base after a fierce gun battle.
During the attack, several military vehicles were reportedly destroyed.
The attackers were also said to have set some operational vehicles on fire and taken away ammunition and other military supplies from the base.
Security sources said the loss of the commanding officer during the attack was a major setback for the troops stationed in the area.
“I cannot say much about the casualties but it’s very sad that we also lost the CO (commanding officer) here,” one of the sources said.
Authorities have not yet released an official statement detailing the number of casualties or the full extent of the damage.
The latest assault came only weeks after insurgents attempted to attack the same military base.
According to community members, the terrorists had carried out a similar attack last month but were repelled by soldiers stationed at the camp.
During that earlier attack, troops reportedly fought back strongly and killed several insurgents.
Residents of the area praised the soldiers for their courage at the time.
The commanding officer who died in Monday’s attack was said to have played a key role in leading the successful defence of the base during the previous assault.
Monday’s incident occurred shortly after another deadly attack in the state.
Insurgents recently targeted a military base and an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Ngoshe.
The town lies within Gwoza Local Government Area, which has been one of the regions heavily affected by insurgency.
During that attack, several soldiers and civilians were reportedly killed, though the exact number of casualties was not immediately confirmed.
The assault on both a military facility and an IDP camp raised serious concerns among residents and humanitarian groups working in the region.
Borno State has remained the main centre of insurgent activities since Boko Haram began its violent campaign in 2009.
The group has carried out numerous attacks on communities, security formations, and government facilities across the state.
Thousands of people have lost their lives over the years, while millions have been forced to leave their homes.
Many displaced residents now live in camps set up by the government and humanitarian organisations.
Communities in remote areas, especially near the Lake Chad region, continue to face security threats despite ongoing military operations.
Kukawa Local Government Area, where the latest attack occurred, is located near the Lake Chad basin, an area where insurgent groups have maintained some presence.
The Nigerian military has carried out several operations aimed at weakening insurgent groups in the North-East.
Troops have also received support from regional partners under the Multinational Joint Task Force, which includes forces from neighbouring countries around Lake Chad.
In recent years, the military has recorded some successes, including the rescue of abducted civilians and the recovery of territories once controlled by insurgents.
However, security experts say insurgent groups continue to launch surprise attacks, especially on remote military bases and villages.
These attacks often involve large numbers of fighters who attempt to overwhelm security forces.
Residents of affected communities say the recent attacks have raised fears of increased insurgent activities in parts of Borno State.
Many people worry that repeated assaults on military bases could weaken security in surrounding communities.
Local leaders have called on the government to strengthen security presence in vulnerable areas.
They also urged the authorities to provide additional equipment and support for troops fighting insurgents in the region.
As of the time of this report, military authorities had not released full details of the attack in Kukawa.
However, security officials are expected to provide further information after assessing the situation on the ground.
The latest incident once again highlights the challenges facing security forces in the fight against insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East.
