MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — The Nigerian military is mourning a devastating week in Borno State after losing three forward base commanders in a series of coordinated strikes by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants.
The targeted assaults, which occurred between March 1 and March 9, 2026, have claimed the lives of several high-ranking officers leading critical outposts in the frontline of Operation Hadin Kai. Security sources confirm the fallen include Major U.I. Mairiga, Lt. Col. Umar Faruq, and Lt. Col. S.I. Iliyasu.
The wave of violence began on March 1, when insurgents stormed the Mayanti base in Bama LGA. Major Mairiga was killed while putting up a fierce resistance against an overwhelming night assault.
By the following week, the conflict intensified around Kukawa and Konduga:
- Lt. Col. Umar Faruq, commander of the Kukawa base, succumbed to critical injuries on March 9 while being evacuated to Maiduguri after his facility was targeted.
- Lt. Col. S.I. Iliyasu, the commanding officer of the 222 Battalion in Konduga, was killed alongside several of his men during a simultaneous insurgent strike.
The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports of mass casualties among rank-and-file soldiers as “exaggerated.” However, the Defense Headquarters has acknowledged the renewed pressure, deploying additional air assets and reinforcements to the Lake Chad region to stabilize the frontline and regain full control of affected outposts.
