MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA — Two Nigerian soldiers were killed on Thursday after troops successfully repelled an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military base in Magumeri, Borno State.
The encounter occurred when insurgents attempted to infiltrate the base under the cover of poor visibility.
In a statement released on Friday, Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), confirmed the casualties. He noted that while the troops successfully thwarted the primary assault, the terrorists managed to record “minor breaches” on an isolated section of the camp during the initial stages of the raid.
The Battle for Magumeri
Military sources report that the insurgents launched the surprise attack in an effort to overrun the strategic outpost. However, the soldiers on duty engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, eventually forcing them to retreat.
“The gallant troops effectively repelled the attack, forcing the terrorists to flee with varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” the military statement added.
The Army remains on high alert in the area, and additional reinforcements have reportedly been deployed to secure the perimeter and conduct follow-up search operations in the surrounding bushes.
Persistent Threats
Magumeri, located approximately 40 kilometres from the state capital, Maiduguri, has been a frequent target for ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters due to its position along a key transit corridor.
This latest clash underscores the ongoing volatility in the North-East despite the military’s sustained “Operation Hadin Kai” offensive, which has seen thousands of insurgents surrender in recent months.
