Many Feared Dead as Boko Haram Fighters Overrun Military Base and IDP Camp in Borno
Suspected militants linked to the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram have carried out a coordinated attack on a military installation and a camp for internally displaced persons in northeastern Nigeria, leaving several soldiers and civilians feared dead.
Security sources said the assault took place in Ngoshe, a town located in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The attackers are believed to belong to the extremist group known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter faction of the insurgent movement widely referred to as Boko Haram.
According to accounts from multiple military insiders, the attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when a large group of militants launched a surprise offensive on a military base housing troops from the 82 Division Task Force Battalion under the 26 Brigade.
The insurgents reportedly struck at approximately 4:00 a.m., catching security personnel off guard and forcing a fierce confrontation that lasted until daybreak.
One military source said the attackers arrived in significant numbers and were able to overwhelm the base after intense gunfire and explosions.
“The terrorists overran the military base around 0400 hours,” the source said. “They set parts of the facility on fire and destroyed several military assets, including armoured vehicles.”
During the raid, the militants reportedly burned military equipment and vehicles stationed at the base. Witnesses said they also seized a large quantity of weapons and ammunition before advancing further into the community.
After attacking the base, the militants reportedly moved toward a nearby camp housing internally displaced persons who had fled violence in surrounding areas.
Sources said the attackers set buildings in the camp on fire, creating panic among residents who attempted to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
“The gunmen later advanced toward an IDP camp close to the military base and attacked it,” another security source said. “They burned many of the structures in the camp before moving into the community.”
Residents of Ngoshe reportedly endured several hours of fear as the armed militants searched homes and streets.
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Security sources said the attackers moved through the community looking for soldiers who may have escaped from the military base and attempted to hide among civilians.
“They were going house to house checking if soldiers were hiding in the community,” the source explained.
As of the time of reporting, the exact number of casualties had not been confirmed. However, security officials indicated that several soldiers and civilians were believed to have been killed during the attack.
“Up till now we don’t have the actual number of those killed,” one source said. “More bodies are still being discovered.”
The attack is the latest in a series of assaults carried out by insurgent groups operating in northeastern Nigeria, particularly in Borno State, which has been the epicentre of a long-running insurgency.
The region has experienced repeated attacks on military positions in recent months.
Earlier incidents included an assault near Banki Junction along the Bama-Gwoza road, where insurgents reportedly killed several soldiers, including an army officer.
In that attack, sources said a major in the Nigerian Army lost his life when militants launched a sudden strike on a forward operating base.
Another earlier incident occurred in Jakana town in Kaga Local Government Area, where insurgents reportedly attacked an army outpost along the Maiduguri–Damaturu road.
During that raid, the attackers allegedly destroyed armoured vehicles and escaped with weapons and ammunition belonging to security forces.
Borno State, with its capital in Maiduguri, has remained one of the most affected regions since the insurgency began over a decade ago.
The conflict involving Boko Haram and its splinter factions has displaced millions of people across northeastern Nigeria and neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad region.
Military operations by Nigerian forces have continued in the region in an effort to weaken the insurgents and restore stability. However, sporadic attacks on military positions and civilian communities still occur, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the area.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement detailing the full extent of casualties or the damage caused by the latest attack.