Boko Haram Overruns Borno Military Base, Behead Soldiers, Vigilantes

Boko Haram terrorists launched a pre-dawn assault on a Nigerian Army forward operating base in Mandaragirau, Borno State, killing soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in a fierce exchange of fire.

The attack, which occurred around 3 a.m. on Friday under heavy rainfall, targeted the 25 Brigade area under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai in Biu Local Government Area. Military sources and officials confirmed that five soldiers and three CJTF members were killed during the encounter.

In an official response, the Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters, Joint Task Force (North East), Lt. Col. Haruna Sani, said troops put up resistance despite difficult weather conditions and limited visibility.

He said the attackers attempted to breach the facility during the downpour but were met with a “fierce counter-offensive” that prevented further infiltration.

“Determined troops responded with a fierce counter-offensive, decisively frustrating further incursions and inflicting casualties on the attackers,” Sani said, adding that the operation reflected the “resilience and courage” of personnel on the front line.

He confirmed that five soldiers paid the “supreme price” while three CJTF members were also killed, noting that wounded personnel had been evacuated for treatment and were in stable condition.

Sani maintained that the base remained under full military control, with reinforcement operations ongoing to stabilise the area and pursue fleeing insurgents.

Sources within the area told reporters that the attackers operated for nearly an hour during the heavy rain with minimal resistance before troops reorganised and engaged them in close combat.

One local security source described the scene as chaotic, saying soldiers were forced to fall back temporarily as the insurgents pushed into sections of the base.

“Boko Haram chased them. It happened during the rain and there was confusion,” the source said.

Another military source, however, disputed the official casualty figure, claiming more than eight soldiers may have been killed, with additional personnel injured during the assault.

In a separate reaction, the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, confirmed the attack and said multiple locations were affected, urging stronger intelligence and community-based security structures to complement military operations.

Military authorities said follow-up operations were ongoing to track the attackers and prevent further incursions in the general area.

A viral video circulating on social media showed soldiers and CJTF members at the base after the attack, with multiple bodies visible, underscoring the intensity of the overnight raid.

Despite repeated setbacks, Operation Hadin Kai said troops remained committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups across the North-East theatre.