Benisheikh, Borno State — Several Nigerian soldiers are feared dead following a fresh attack by suspected insurgents on a military base in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, targeted a formation operated by troops of Operation Hadin Kai. Security sources said the assailants, believed to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province, launched a coordinated assault on the facility, engaging troops in a fierce gun battle.
According to reports, the attackers overran parts of the base during the incident, killing several soldiers and destroying military assets, including vehicles and equipment. Local sources also indicated that a senior officer, reportedly a brigade commander, was among those feared killed, although official confirmation was still pending as of press time.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed that both military personnel and insurgents recorded casualties during the confrontation. It, however, maintained that troops put up strong resistance and eventually repelled the attackers after an intense exchange of fire.
Military sources said the insurgents attempted to breach the base around midnight but were met with heavy resistance. The attackers were said to have set parts of the facility ablaze during the raid, destroying operational vehicles and infrastructure before withdrawing.
The latest assault adds to a series of attacks on military formations in the North-East, as insurgent groups intensify operations against security forces.
Borno State remains the epicentre of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency involving groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, with both military installations and civilian communities frequently targeted.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to release an official casualty figure, but security analysts say the incident highlights the continuing threat posed by insurgents despite ongoing counter-terrorism operations.