ARMED groups from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched simultaneous overnight assaults on several communities and military bases in Borno and Yobe States, resulting in heavy fighting and widespread damage.
The attacks, which occurred between late Wednesday and early Thursday, targeted Mafa, Dikwa, Marte, and Ajiri in Borno, as well as Katarko in Yobe.
Eyewitnesses reported that the insurgents arrived in large numbers, using gun trucks and motorcycles to ambush a military checkpoint in Mafa, loot weapons and motorcycles, and set goods-laden trucks ablaze.
Troops countered the assault, killing several terrorists, though exact casualty figures remain unclear.
Similar offensives in Dikwa and Gajibo briefly overran military outposts before soldiers regained control, destroying vehicles and neutralizing dozens of insurgents. In Katarko, troops repelled the attack, killing at least 17 militants.
According to Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), over 50 terrorists were killed and 70 others wounded in the coordinated operations, which lasted from midnight to 4 a.m. Lt.-Col. Sani Uba confirmed that soldiers, backed by air support, recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, machine guns, RPGs, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
Some attackers reportedly came from Cameroon and the insurgent-held Timbuktu Triangle.
The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum visited the affected areas, calling for continuous military operations and sustained support from the Federal Government to consolidate gains through recovery and reconstruction.
Security expert and former DSS Director Mike Ejiofor commended the military’s resilience, stating that Nigeria is gradually gaining the upper hand in the insurgency, but called for greater public cooperation and stronger regional coordination through the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Officials believe the attacks signal renewed collaboration between Boko Haram and ISWAP factions operating near the Nigeria–Cameroon border.