A commanding officer of the Nigerian Army, identified as Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, was killed along with several soldiers after suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram fighters attacked and overran a military base in Kukawa LGA of Borno State in the early hours of Monday.
Gatekeepers News reports that security sources told reporters that the insurgents stormed the military camp around 12:30 a.m., advancing from multiple directions and engaging troops in heavy fighting that forced soldiers to retreat. The attackers reportedly burnt military vehicles, looted weapons and ammunition, and dislodged troops from the base before security forces regrouped.
Lt. Col. Farouq was wounded during the confrontation and died while being conveyed to Maiduguri for medical treatment, sources said. Several other soldiers were also killed in the onslaught, although exact casualty figures have not yet been confirmed by military authorities.
Locals have expressed concern over the persistent threat posed by ISWAP and Boko Haram insurgents in northeastern Nigeria, where military formations and civilian communities continue to be targeted despite ongoing counter‑insurgency operations.
As of this report, the Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement on the incident, and investigations into the attack are expected to continue.
