Boko Haram Escalates Attacks on Military Bases in North-East, Several Soldiers Killed

Jihadi extremist groups, including Boko Haram and one of its factions, have intensified assaults on military bases in Nigeria’s north-east over the past week, resulting in multiple casualties among troops.

At least two officers and several soldiers were killed in coordinated attacks across Borno and Yobe states, as well as the broader Lake Chad region, according to security reports. Analysts say the assaults demonstrate a high level of planning and coordination by the insurgents. 

Over the weekend, Islamic extremists launched at least six attacks, targeting military installations. Reports indicate that the attackers seized trucks, vehicles, and other military hardware from the bases. 

The Nigerian military described the assaults between Sunday and Monday as deliberate attempts by terrorists to overwhelm troop positions. Maj.-Gen. Sani Uba, the military spokesperson, confirmed the deaths of an unspecified number of soldiers and at least one officer, adding that casualties earlier in the week had brought the total to an estimated four officers lost in the recent spate of attacks.

The attacks have sparked public outrage, with some Nigerians accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of prioritizing political interests over national security in the run-up to the next presidential election.

Security analysts noted that while the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has increased attacks on military positions in recent months, the recent wave marks one of the first instances of simultaneous large-scale assaults in the region. Videos circulated by ISWAP show weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and vehicles allegedly seized during the raids.

Taiwo Adebayo, an analyst at the Institute for Security Studies, said insurgents often target military camps to replenish their weapons stock. “When they hit those camps, they strip the base of weapons, burn it down and retreat into the forests,” he said.

Malik Samuel, a Nigerian security researcher with Good Governance Africa, added that the vulnerability of military bases allows insurgents to restock arms without incurring costs. “As long as military bases remain exposed, ISWAP does not need to spend money buying arms,” he noted.

The attacks come despite increased security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. Under a new partnership, at least 100 US troops have been deployed to assist the Nigerian military with training and logistics. Adebayo said insurgents continue to exploit the limited presence of security forces and government institutions in many conflict-prone areas.