Boko Haram attacks Borno military base, kills commander and 18 Soldiers

|Published 5:00 PM ET, Sunday January 26, 2025|

At least 19 soldiers, including a commander, have been killed in an attack carried out by Boko Haram members at the military base in Malam-Fatori at Abadam Local Government Area of Borno state on Friday, January 24.

The latest attack highlights the ongoing security challenges posed by the group. Boko Haram, designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries and international bodies, has been active in the Lake Chad Basin region, targeting military installations, civilians, and infrastructure.

Intelligence sources confirmed that the insurgents arrived at the base in multiple gun trucks, razing several buildings and military operational vehicles during the assault.

“Many soldiers were seriously injured while several other personnel have gone missing,” a source confided in Channels Television.

“The commanding officer of the battalion, a lieutenant colonel, and two senior officers, including the base medical director, were among those killed in the attack.”

149 Taskforce Brigade Malam-Fatori is located two kilometres from the Nigerien border town of Bosso in Lake Chad, where the insurgents are currently hibernating.

A military source indicated that the attack on the military base happened when troops were on routine operations in the Timbuktu triangle, from where they drove into an ambush that resulted in the death of the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Alari.

The Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, and the other authorities have not commented on the latest attack.

The group’s actions have caused significant humanitarian and security concerns, leading to large-scale displacement and a complex counterinsurgency campaign in the region. This incident underscores the need for continued efforts to combat terrorism and address the root causes of instability in the affected areas.