A senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, has been confirmed dead after Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a military base in Kukawa, Borno State.
The assault, believed to have been carried out by fighters from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, reportedly forced troops to retreat after hours of intense fighting.
Sources said the heavily armed insurgents stormed the military facility in Kukawa town on Sunday, setting vehicles ablaze and looting ammunition before moving into nearby communities.
Commanding Officer Among Casualties
Military sources confirmed on Monday that Farouq, the commanding officer at the base, was among the soldiers killed during the attack.
“The commanding officer here, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, and some of his troops have been confirmed dead already. It is very sad,” a source said.
The attack marks the second killing of a Nigerian Army commanding officer by insurgents in less than three days.
Earlier, terrorists killed Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, the commanding officer of the 222 Battalion, during an attack in Konduga, Borno State.
Rising Attacks On Military Bases
In recent months, insurgents have intensified attacks on military positions across Nigeria’s north-east.
Between late Thursday night and early Friday morning last week, gunmen launched coordinated attacks on four military bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana and Marte.
The militants reportedly fired sporadically at military installations, destroying armoured tanks and military vehicles while carting away large quantities of ammunition.
Heavy Casualties Recorded
According to military sources, several Boko Haram fighters were also killed during the clashes as troops resisted the attacks.
However, sources said insurgents managed to overrun some bases for several hours due to the absence of immediate air support.
More than 40 bodies of fallen soldiers were reportedly recovered after the attacks.
Civilians Also Targeted
The violence comes amid a wave of attacks in Borno communities.
In Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, insurgents earlier stormed a military post before attacking residents, killing several civilians and abducting women.
The militants also raided a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the community.
Insurgency Continues To Threaten Region
Security experts warn that the growing frequency of attacks on military bases highlights the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the Lake Chad region.
Despite ongoing military operations, insurgents continue to carry out coordinated raids targeting troops and civilians across Borno State.
