Boko Haram kills Lieutenant Colonel, 40 soldiers in Borno

Africa, Crime Diary, International

Maiduguri, Nigeria (NPA) — March 7, 2026 — At least 40 Nigerian soldiers have been confirmed dead following coordinated overnight attacks by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants on four military bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana, and Marte, Borno State.

According to SaharaReporters, the terrorists “reportedly fired at the military facilities sporadically, causing numerous casualties. The gunmen also came in different groups and could not be counted.” A senior officer, Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, commanding officer of the 222 Battalion, was among those killed.

A military source said, “We lost over 40 soldiers to those attacks. It’s so sad; we still can’t find some of our men, can’t say if they are alive or dead, but over 40 bodies have been recovered as of now.”

Another source added: “It’s so much that the Chief of Army Staff had to pay an emergency visit to Borno this morning; right now, he’s at the Headquarters Theatre Command in Maiduguri for more brief on the whole attacks.”

The militants reportedly burned armoured tanks, destroyed military vehicles, and seized ammunition during the raids. Security sources said several insurgents were also killed in the clashes.

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that Peter Obi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and presidential aspirant, has condemned Thursday’s attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Ngoshe community in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

The assault, which destroyed a military base and struck an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, left at least nine Nigerian soldiers and several civilians dead, while an unspecified number of people were abducted, according to local reports.

In a statement issued Friday, Obi expressed deep concern over the tragedy: “I watched several videos of this tragedy with deep horror. Once again, we are confronted with the painful reality of the daily suffering that far too many Nigerians are forced to endure. This is unacceptable.”

He questioned the government’s response to ongoing insecurity: “How long will Nigerians continue to bear the consequences of poor leadership and mismanagement? How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken to secure our communities, protect the vulnerable, and dismantle the structures of these insurgents?”