During an attack on a Nigerian Army installation in Borno State, armed rebels associated with Boko Haram are said to have killed numerous troops, including Army Major U. I. Mairiga.
Sources claim that early on Sunday morning, the attack targeted a forward military post along the Banki axis.
According to reports, the attackers overran the base in well-coordinated waves, overwhelming the troops that were positioned there.
The attack happened at the Forward Base Operations near the Banki intersection along the Bama-Gwaza Road, according to security sources. Hours passed while soldiers tried to fend off the invaders amid heavy gunfire.
The terrorists were recognized as belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province, a group that has increased its attacks on military installations in the Northeast.
The operation confirmed the death of a senior Army officer. While several staff apparently fled into nearby bushes in the midst of the pandemonium, several more soldiers also perished.
An Army Major and numerous other soldiers were killed this morning in an attack at Forward Base operations at Banki crossroads at around 0400 hours by gunmen believed to be Boko Haram terrorists.
“They are transferring their bodies to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri.”
The fallen troops’ remains were transferred to a military hospital in Maiduguri while efforts are still being made to find the missing soldiers.
Attacks on military sites in the state have increased in frequency since the most recent occurrence. An Army base in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area, was attacked by militants weeks prior, at which time armored vehicles were destroyed and weaponry were taken away.
“Our side suffered numerous casualties in an attack by Boko Haram terrorists this morning, 06/02/2025, at an Army outpost along Maiduguri/Damaturu Road, Jakana town.”
Days before, seven soldiers, including a recently promoted Lieutenant Colonel, had been slain in another horrific ambush while on operational movement.
During these operations, the militants set off explosives and were shot at, according to military insiders, causing serious losses and injuries, with several soldiers still missing.
ISWAP has increased its influence in the Lake Chad region with the passing of former Boko Haram commander Abubakar Shekau. This has affected security forces in the area by absorbing defectors.
42 sheep have been found and four suspected livestock rustlers have been taken into custody by the Niger State Police Command in various operations throughout the state.
This was revealed in a statement on Sunday by Wasiu Abiodun, the command’s public relations officer, who stated that the arrests were conducted in response to reliable information.
The suspects were apprehended by police officers affiliated with the Crack Squad on February 24 at approximately 6 p.m., according to the statement.
23-year-old Abubakar Musa of Maito village via Lemu, 20-year-old Muhammad Ibeto of Kara via Jebba, 20-year-old Bello Saidu of Kara via Jebba, and 20-year-old Abubakar Alhaji of Kara via Jebba were identified as the suspects.
According to Abiodun, the arrests came about as a result of a tip that the culprits were spotted near Raba Forest via Mokwa with possibly stolen animals.
Responding quickly, police officers followed the criminals down Jebba-Mokwa Road.
“Some members of the syndicate fled into the forest, while four were apprehended,” he stated.
While being questioned, the suspects allegedly admitted to rustling the sheep from Salihu village through Mokwa and named other gang members.
The 42 recovered sheep have been claimed by their rightful owner, according to Abiodun, who also stated that efforts were being made to apprehend the fugitive suspects.
