ISWAP attacks four military bases in Borno

Combined security repel attacks in two locations- Police

As over 300 villagers are still missing after two weeks

At least five soldiers were feared killed, and dozens of others sustained critical injuries when the Islamic State of West African Province terrorists attacked four military bases simultaneously in Borno State on Monday, sources said.

Our correspondent gathered that the terrorists rode on over 200 motorcycles to storm the military base at Mile Four Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State at midnight, killing at least four soldiers and wounding eight others.

According to the source, terrorists overpowered and overran the base, set it ablaze after looting arms and ammunition.

It was learnt that attackers simultaneously targeted the troop camps in Buratai town, the hometown of the ex-Chief of Army Staff and burnt down the base following a coordinated attack against the troops.

The source added that a specified number of soldiers lost their lives, and many others were said to have been injured.

Similarly, a military checkpoint was attacked at Ajilari Cross and Kofa near Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where the military formations were burnt down, and the attackers also took away one operations vehicle belonging to soldiers.

Luckily, three terrorists were killed and two others apprehended during the joint operations by security agencies to repel the attempts.

In Damboa, terrorists made attempts to infiltrate the 23 task force brigade, but were strongly resisted by the gallant troops.

“We are experiencing waves of attacks in the last three weeks; the alliances between ISWAP and JAS are causing these unholy campaigns. You could imagine four attacks in the different locations. We are trying our best, and we shall continue to defend the country with our last breaths.”

Security operatives repel Boko Haram terrorists’ infiltration attempt in Maiduguri

Commenting, the Borno State Police Command clarified that the gunshots and explosions reported in parts of Maiduguri on Sunday were linked to a failed infiltration attempt by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

According to the police, the incident followed attempts by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters to penetrate Maiduguri from the Ajilari and Kofa outskirts.

In a statement issued on Monday in Maiduguri, Nahum Kenneth Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer, said the attacks occurred in two separate locations.

He explained that the first incident occurred around 12:00 pm on March 16, 2026, at Ajilari Cross in the Kofa area of the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, while the second occurred around 1:00 am along the Damboa–Maiduguri Road in the Damboa Local Government Area.

“In a swift and coordinated response, joint security operatives who were already on heightened alert engaged the insurgents and successfully repelled the attacks, forcing the terrorists to retreat.”

He added that no casualties were recorded among security personnel or civilians during the operations.

“During the operations, no casualties were recorded among security personnel or civilians. However, the insurgents were believed to have suffered casualties and injuries, though the exact figures are yet to be confirmed,” Daso said.

300 women, children still missing after two weeks

Following the March 3rd attack in Ngoshe, Borno state, which led to the death of an unknown number of civilians, there has been a growing concern over the failure of the state government to determine the actual number of persons abducted one week after the attack.

This is, as an eye-witness account suggests, different narratives, with some insisting that the adopted victims comprise over 100 women, while others argue that the figures exceed 300.

It was recalled that Boko Haram terrorists attacked a military base in Ngoshe, Gwoza local government area, where they overpowered soldiers and proceeded to wreak havoc in the community.

While speaking in a now viral video, the District Secretary of Ngoshe, Shuaibu Dabawa, alleged that more than 300 residents were abducted during the attack.

He said, “When they attacked, we heard sporadic gunshots, then fled into the bush for safety, where we spent the night

“Terrorists abducted more than 300 people during the attack,” he said.

Corroborating the account, Sawa Ngoshe said they are heartbroken with the sad tale lingering for too long. He lamented that there were no signs that over 300 abducted villagers might get their freedom anytime soon.

“We are sad and heartbroken, we have names of people more than 300 abducted by terrorists in Ngoshe two weeks ago. We have turned to God to help us because we are helpless.” He lamented.

Last week, Usman Tar, the state Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, told the journalists that efforts are underway to rescue the abductees. He disclosed they are currently making efforts to determine the actual number of victims.

“On missing persons, we are in the process of verification; the actual figure is yet to be ascertained,” he said in a telephone interview.

He also confirmed that the displaced victims were in good condition, adding that the government has taken necessary steps to ensure they receive humanitarian assistance.

Residents and groups have expressed worry over the situation, while calling for immediate action that will lead to the rescue of the victims.

The residents also stressed that, when the identity of the victims is not determined in figures, it may further worsen the panic in the state.

CSOs urge government to intensify efforts to rescue the abductees

The chairman of Civil Society Organisations in the Northeast, Ahmed Shehu, condemned the attack, while calling for immediate measures to rescue the hostages.

He said, “When people are abducted, and we are yet to ascertain their numbers, it is a great source of concern. I don’t want to look at it as a problem but as a challenge to the system.

“These (abducted persons) are our future leaders, and as a parent, it is also something of concern. There is supposed to be an emergency approach to ensure that these people who were abducted are brought back and united with their families because the role of the government is to protect and safeguard the properties and lives of citizens. There is no escuse” he added.

While condemning the abduction, Ahmed said the Civil Society Organizations have offered major recommendations to the state on measures that must be considered to end the trend.

“I want to start by condemning the act and sympathising with the people that were affected, not only the civilian population, but even the military that lost their personnel. Their hard work is well noted and appreciated. As a nation and as a state, this thing is not supposed to be happening after 15 years. We thought this thing was over, but now, it is just coming as something fresh.” He said.

A top local leader in Gwoza local government, who pleaded not to be identified, also lamented a security gap, while urging the government to expedite action towards the release of all the abducted victims.

“If not for military presence, the situation would have been worse than this. The terrorists’ intention, as they said, is to claim the community, which means they were ready to wipe everyone out, but thank God for the first resistance from the military before they were overpowered.

“While I call for the immediate rescue of abducted persons and the need for the government to let the public know about the number of missing persons, as it is done in other places when issues like this occur, they must also increase deployment and ensure security presence across that area to prevent the insurgents from spreading,” the resident noted.