- Boko Haram launched a deadly attack on a military base in Borno State, resulting in numerous deaths and significant infrastructure damage
- The insurgents used drones for surveillance and coordination, marking an increase in their tactical capabilities during recent assaults on military positions
Boko Haram terrorists have launched a deadly attack on a military base in Damboa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
The assault, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the deaths of numerous soldiers and vigilantes, with the insurgents seizing weapons and destroying infrastructure.
According to security and local sources, the attack occurred at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Sabon Gari area around 4 p.m. One source reported that while the military mounted a strong defense, they were ultimately overwhelmed by the sheer number of attackers.
The attack left the base in ruins, with several operation vehicles and buildings set ablaze. A security source disclosed that the insurgents deployed a drone ahead of their assault, initially mistaken for military surveillance equipment.
“We recovered over 12 bodies, but the exact number of casualties among soldiers and vigilantes remains unknown,” the source said.
The insurgents reportedly coordinated the attack from Mandara Gau, a hideout in Biu LGA, about 25 kilometres from the base.
They are said to have taken over a mango plantation owned by a former commissioner in Borno State, using it as their base of operations.
In recent weeks, Boko Haram has intensified its use of drones for surveillance and attacks between Chibok and Damboa.
On December 24, 2024, terrorists launched a drone attack on another Forward Operating Base in Damboa LGA, injuring at least six soldiers.
Despite the severity of the incidents, Defence Headquarters spokesperson Brigadier General Tukur Gusau downplayed the attacks, describing them as mere harassment and labelling the drones used by the insurgents as “toy drones.”
A resident, identified as Adamu, revealed that many of the attackers were fleeing militants displaced by joint military operations in the Lake Chad region. The ongoing offensive by Chadian troops has forced numerous insurgents to regroup in Nigeria, particularly in Sambisa Forest.
The decade-long Boko Haram conflict, which has spilt into neighbouring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.
As regional forces intensify their campaigns, the need for heightened vigilance and coordination among affected nations remains critical.
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