- ISWAP militants ambushed Nigerian troops and militia members during a patrol in Borno.
- Four security personnel were killed while several motorcycles were seized by the insurgents.
- The brigade commander briefly went missing before returning to base safely.
- The attack highlights ISWAP’s increasing aggression despite pressure from rival Boko Haram.
Northeastern Borno witnessed another round of violent confrontation on Friday when fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province opened fire on a motorcycle convoy moving through the Damboa axis. According to security sources, the militants launched the assault using heavy weapons, catching the patrol team off guard.
A senior military officer, who preferred not to be identified, confirmed that two soldiers and two Civilian JTF members were killed during the clash. He explained that the ISWAP fighters had strategically positioned themselves along the patrol route, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
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A situation report shared among humanitarian agencies supported the casualty figures and revealed that 17 motorcycles belonging to the patrol team were carted away by the insurgents. The report also indicated that several soldiers, including the unit commander, were initially missing. The commander, however, later found his way back to the Damboa base, located about 90 kilometres from Maiduguri.
The attack underscores the persistent danger posed by ISWAP even as the group struggles with internal battles against Boko Haram. Both factions have been engaged in deadly clashes around the Lake Chad region as they fight for influence and control.
Just last week, intelligence reports indicated that Boko Haram fighters killed nearly 200 ISWAP members in a coordinated ambush near the lake’s shoreline, signalling an ongoing power struggle between the two extremist groups.
Despite the rivalry, ISWAP has continued to launch targeted attacks on Nigerian troops using rocket-propelled grenades, suicide drones, and coordinated assaults on remote military locations. The conflict, which has dragged on for years, has claimed more than 40,000 lives and displaced nearly two million people across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa.
The violence has spilled across borders into Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, prompting the creation of a regional military coalition to curb the spread of extremist activity.
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Amid these security challenges, Nigerians have continued to urge President Bola Tinubu and the service chiefs to intensify operations against insurgent hideouts. Many citizens believe the military must escalate pressure on both ISWAP and Boko Haram to restore stability in communities still living under constant threat.
Tensions were further heightened after the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed that Nigeria is engaging the United States diplomatically following recent strong statements by President Donald Trump. Idris noted that discussions are ongoing and proving useful in easing the strain between both governments.
