Soldiers Killed as Boko Haram Attacks Military Base in Borno

 

In the early hours of Friday morning, fear once again gripped residents of Ngamdu, a small but strategic community along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway, as suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly attack on a Nigerian military base in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State. The incident, which occurred around 2 a.m., threw the usually quiet area into chaos as sounds of heavy gunfire and explosions echoed through the night.

According to eyewitnesses, the attack began when a large group of armed insurgents, believed to be members of Boko Haram or its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), stormed the military camp from multiple directions. They were heavily armed with assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and other sophisticated weapons. Some locals reported that the insurgents arrived in several gun trucks, while others came on motorbikes, using the darkness to their advantage.

Residents said the gun battle was intense and lasted for several hours. “It was like a war zone,” said one local source who spoke under anonymity for safety reasons. “We could hear loud explosions and continuous gunfire from the direction of the military camp. Many of us had to hide inside our houses, praying for the soldiers to survive and for the attack to end.”

The highway that connects Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to Damaturu in neighboring Yobe State was temporarily closed due to the attack. Motorists who had set out early that morning were forced to stop several kilometers away as security forces blocked the road to prevent civilian casualties. A traveler who was stranded on the route said they were held up for hours. “I left Damaturu early so I could reach Maiduguri by morning, but when we got close to Ngamdu, soldiers stopped us and told us to wait. They said Boko Haram attacked the camp and the road was not safe.”

Sources within the security establishment confirmed that the insurgents attempted to overrun the base through a surprise assault. They reportedly tried to cut off reinforcement routes by planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the main supply road. However, despite being outnumbered at the initial stage of the attack, the soldiers stood their ground. Reinforcements later arrived from nearby formations, and the troops fought fiercely to repel the invaders.

A military source revealed that although the soldiers successfully repelled the attack, the confrontation led to casualties on both sides. “Yes, there were casualties,” the source said. “Four of our soldiers paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, and some others sustained injuries. They were immediately evacuated to a military hospital for treatment. But our troops fought bravely. Many of the terrorists were neutralized in the encounter.”

Another officer who spoke after the confrontation explained that the insurgents had used drones to monitor troop movement before launching their attack, a tactic that has become common among ISWAP fighters in recent months. He said the soldiers’ quick response and superior firepower helped to turn the tide of battle. “They came prepared, but our men were alert and fought gallantly. We recovered several weapons after the fight, and intelligence suggests that the insurgents carried away the bodies of many of their dead fighters,” he added.

In the aftermath of the clash, military engineers were deployed to clear explosive devices that had been planted along the road by the fleeing insurgents. The operation delayed the reopening of the highway, but by midday, normal traffic flow had resumed. Security personnel were still seen patrolling the route to ensure that no explosives were left behind.

Medical officials in Damaturu also confirmed that several injured soldiers were brought to the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital for emergency care. “Some had gunshot wounds, while others were hit by fragments from explosives,” a hospital worker said. “They were rushed in during the early hours, and doctors immediately began treatment.”

For the residents of Ngamdu, Friday’s incident rekindled memories of previous attacks in the area. The town sits along one of the most dangerous routes in northeastern Nigeria, where insurgents have repeatedly targeted soldiers and travelers. Over the past few years, the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway has been the scene of numerous ambushes, roadside bombings, and kidnappings. Many travelers now avoid the road at night, fearing sudden attacks.

A community elder described the situation as heartbreaking. “We have lived with this fear for over a decade,” he said. “Each time we think things are improving, another attack happens. The soldiers here are doing their best, but these people keep coming back. We just want peace so our children can go to school and farmers can return to their fields.”

Although the military has not yet released an official statement, sources close to the Nigerian Army said additional troops have been deployed to the Ngamdu area to strengthen security and prevent further attacks. Patrols along the highway have also been increased to ensure the safety of commuters.

The attack is one of several in recent months that highlight the continued threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the northeastern region. Despite years of military operations and repeated claims that the insurgency has been largely defeated, the groups continue to launch sporadic attacks against both civilians and security forces.

Experts say the Ngamdu attack demonstrates the insurgents’ ongoing ability to strike at strategic targets and disrupt movement along vital roads. Security analysts have urged the government to invest more in intelligence gathering and to strengthen coordination between different security agencies. They argue that while the Nigerian military has made significant progress in reclaiming territories once held by the insurgents, the next phase of the fight requires more surveillance technology, better logistical support, and stronger community engagement.

For families of the fallen soldiers, the attack serves as another painful reminder of the sacrifices made by Nigerian troops in the fight against terrorism. Many have hailed the soldiers as heroes who gave their lives defending their country. Messages of sympathy and solidarity have begun pouring in from across the region.

Meanwhile, normal life is gradually returning to Ngamdu and surrounding areas, though a sense of fear and uncertainty lingers. Residents say they are grateful for the soldiers’ courage but hope that lasting peace will soon return to their communities.

As night fell on Friday, the military continued to comb the area, searching for any remaining insurgents or explosives. Though the battle had ended, the echoes of gunfire still haunted the minds of those who lived through it.

 In Ngamdu, the scars of the insurgency are visible everywhere — from burnt houses and abandoned farms to the weary faces of people who have seen too much violence. Yet, amid the pain and destruction, a quiet determination remains among the people and the soldiers who protect them: a belief that one day, the guns will finally go silent, and peace will take root again in the troubled heart of northeastern Nigeria.