The Defence Headquarters has confirmed a deadly surprise attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists on Nigerian military troops operating in the Gubio Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State. The assault, which took place in the volatile Lake Chad region, left five soldiers dead, 10 wounded, and four others declared missing. In the aftermath, Nigerian troops successfully neutralized over 30 insurgents and recovered significant weapons and equipment.
According to Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, the attack was part of a series of coordinated assaults aimed at the military’s stabilisation efforts in the area. The insurgents targeted the special forces stationed in the Kareto community of Gubio, a region that has seen escalating violence in recent months. The attack led to the destruction of crucial military equipment, including one gun truck, three TCVs (Tactical Combat Vehicles), and an excavator.
The assault, which began on August 16, saw an initial wave where 18 soldiers were killed and several others injured, with six insurgents neutralized. Despite this significant loss, military reinforcements, supported by airstrikes, were quickly deployed to pursue the attackers. Just days later, on August 17, another attack resulted in the death of five more soldiers, but this time, over 30 terrorists were eliminated in subsequent engagements without any additional casualties on the Nigerian side.
The terrorists targeted the special forces who had recently arrived in Kareto, where they were preparing to dig trenches and re establish a secure environment for displaced civilians to return. These efforts, part of the broader stabilization initiatives in Borno, have made the region a focal point for insurgent groups. The insurgents’ persistent attacks on military positions have underscored the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP, despite recent successes by the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the region.
In a broader context, this series of attacks is part of a resurgence of insurgent violence in the Lake Chad Basin, where Boko Haram and its splinter factions continue to target both military and civilian populations. This attack follows last month’s deadly assault on a military base in which 40 soldiers were killed, prompting military leaders in neighboring Chad to launch operations that neutralized many terrorists and forced the remaining insurgents to retreat into Niger Republic.
The Borno State Government has expressed its deep condolences following the loss of soldiers in the recent attacks. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, the state described the killings as a tragic reminder of the brutality of Boko Haram and its affiliates. The statement conveyed sympathy to the families of the fallen soldiers and reaffirmed the government’s support for the ongoing efforts to rid the region of insurgent groups.
The government also reiterated its commitment to standing by the armed forces and continuing its collaboration with federal and regional forces to defeat the insurgency. As the situation in Borno and other affected states remains precarious, the Nigerian government and military continue to face mounting challenges in securing the Lake Chad Basin, a region that has long been a hotspot for terrorist activities.
While the Nigerian military has made significant strides in recent years to push back Boko Haram and ISWAP forces, the latest attack in Gubio LGA is a stark reminder that the war against insurgency is far from over. With the determination of both the armed forces and the support of the public, however, there is hope that these resilient efforts will eventually lead to lasting peace in the region.
As investigations into the attack continue, the military remains committed to neutralizing the insurgents and restoring security to the affected areas. The courage of the fallen soldiers will not be forgotten, and their sacrifice continues to fuel the drive to eliminate terrorism from Nigeria’s northern regions once and for all.