Eight Soldiers Die in Attack by Terrorists – Sources

A raid staged by jihadists connected to the Islamic State has resulted in the deaths of eight Nigerian soldiers and injuries to 23 others at a military base in Borno State, according to three security sources who shared details with AFP on Wednesday.

Approximately 70 fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) arrived via motorcycles, launching an intense assault on a base located in Cross Kauwa village. Reports indicate that the attackers engaged in fierce gunfire with the soldiers present at the site.

"Eight soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice, and 23 others were wounded in the assault which occurred on Monday," stated a military officer regarding the incident.

Sources close to anti-jihadist militias supporting the military mentioned that the attackers came from a camp on Dabar Masara island in Lake Chad, taking a lengthy detour before executing the surprise attack on the base.

According to one militia source, "The terrorists set fire to the base and destroyed 11 gun trucks, confiscating the anti-aircraft weapons mounted on them." The identities of all sources have been withheld to respect confidentiality, as they are not authorized to disclose information about the event.

Situated about 24 kilometers from the fishing town of Baga, the base has been a vital security barrier protecting the area from jihadist incursions.

The ISWAP group and its rival, Boko Haram, have markedly escalated their assaults on military installations in the northeastern region of Nigeria. Over the past weekend, jihadists targeted two bases in Borno State, resulting in casualties among both troops and anti-jihadist militia, as reported by the military.

On Saturday night, an ISWAP offensive took place on a base in Mandaragirau, near the Sambisa forest, inflicting fatalities and injuries on an unspecified number of military personnel, according to an official statement.

Another incident saw Boko Haram attack a base in Pulka, close to the Cameroon border, leading to the destruction of military equipment and accommodations before the assault was thwarted with reinforcements.

The United Nations reports that jihadist violence has claimed over 40,000 lives and forced approximately two million people to flee their homes in northeastern Nigeria since 2009.

The conflict has also spilled over into neighboring countries, including Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition formed to combat these militant factions.

However, the coalition's effectiveness has waned recently, particularly after Niger withdrew its support amid diplomatic tensions with Nigeria following a military coup in Niger in 2023.

In response to the escalating violence, the United States is dispatching troops to Nigeria to provide essential technical assistance and training to Nigerian forces battling jihadist groups. The US Africa Command has indicated that a total of 200 troops are expected to participate in this deployment. (AFP)