An early morning raid by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province militants on a Nigerian military installation has left at least two soldiers dead and several others wounded, including the base commander, according to military officials and security sources.
The deadly incident occurred Thursday before dawn at the Forward Operating Base located in Magumeri, a town in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno state. The attack adds to the ongoing violence from an insurgency that has plagued the region for over ten years.
According to a military source speaking to Reuters, the militants launched their assault during conditions of limited visibility, resulting in three soldiers being killed and severe injuries to the commanding officer.
“Three soldiers were killed in the attack while the commanding officer was severely injured … and 14 other soldiers were injured,” the source reported, noting that approximately eight attackers were also killed. Military forces managed to seize 20 motorcycles, multiple machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades from the militants after successfully defending against the assault, the source added.
A civilian joint taskforce member, part of a vigilante organization that assists military operations, witnessed three deceased soldiers and observed portions of the base engulfed in flames following the attack.
“The commanding officer sustained injury and about 20 others sustained gunshot injuries,” he reported, estimating that around 10 Boko Haram/ISWAP militants were eliminated.
The Nigerian military reported that forces from Operation Hadin Kai, the military’s anti-insurgency campaign in the northeast, “successfully contained” the assault and “neutralised scores” of ISWAP fighters who had attempted to breach the base perimeter.
“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the battle, while an officer and other wounded personnel are currently stable and receiving appropriate medical attention,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the joint task force spokesperson.
Military officials confirmed that some equipment and temporary buildings sustained fire damage during the confrontation, while troops recovered anti-aircraft weapons, AK-47 rifles, and ammunition abandoned by retreating militants.
