At least 80 Islamist insurgents were killed after Nigerian troops, supported by air power, successfully repelled a coordinated assault on a military base in the northeastern state of Borno, the army said on Wednesday.
According to the military, fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have intensified attacks on military positions in recent weeks, particularly in Borno, the epicentre of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency.
The latest pre-dawn attack targeted an army base in Mallam Fatori, near the border with neighbouring Niger. Insurgents reportedly advanced on foot and deployed armed drones during the assault.
Military spokesperson Sani Uba said troops had anticipated the attack and mounted what he described as an “offensive-defensive” response. The assault was repelled using coordinated ground fire and precision airstrikes.
Nigeria’s air force carried out targeted strikes, while allied Nigerien jets struck retreating militants. The military confirmed that four soldiers were wounded and evacuated for treatment, adding that further damage assessments are ongoing.
The army also reported the killing of three high-profile insurgent commanders, though this claim could not be independently verified.
Wednesday’s clash comes just days after a series of suicide bombings in Maiduguri, which left at least 23 people dead and more than 100 injured. The attacks highlighted a possible shift in tactics by militant groups as they respond to intensified government operations.
Troops recovered a large cache of weapons following the operation, including assault rifles, RPG launchers, machine guns, ammunition, improvised explosive devices, and components used for armed drones, the military added.