Boko Haram Strikes Again: Deadly Pre-Dawn Raid on Nigerian Military Base Leaves Soldiers Dead in Borno

 Security Brief — iNewsAfrica | May 13, 2025

In a chilling reminder of the ongoing insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast, Boko Haram militants launched a coordinated and deadly assault on a Nigerian military base in the early hours of May 12. The attack occurred around 3:00 a.m. at the Forward Operating Base of the 153rd Task Force Battalion in Marte Local Government Area, Borno State.

According to military sources, the extremists overwhelmed the base, killing more than 10 soldiers in the surprise ambush. The assailants reportedly torched armored vehicles and looted military hardware before retreating into the surrounding terrain.

This marks the second major assault in the region in less than two weeks, underscoring the growing boldness of Boko Haram and its affiliates, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Security analysts believe the militants exploited gaps in surveillance and border security, taking advantage of the remote location and difficult terrain.

“The pattern of these attacks shows an evolving insurgency that remains deeply embedded in Borno’s rural areas,” said a local defense analyst. “Military outposts are becoming primary targets as Boko Haram seeks to reassert dominance.”

The Nigerian Army has not issued an official casualty report but confirmed the assault and launched a search-and-rescue operation.

This attack adds pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has vowed to end terrorism in the country. Analysts are calling for a renewed strategy that combines kinetic military response with community-based counter-radicalization programs.

With morale shaken and insecurity deepening in the northeast, calls are growing for regional cooperation, upgraded intelligence capabilities, and enhanced support for frontline troops.

iNewsAfrica continues to monitor this developing story and its implications on national security across West Africa.