An undisclosed number of Nigerian troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force have been slain following a violent assault by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) jihadists on a military facility in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to military officials who spoke to SaharaReporters, the attack happened on Thursday after rebels overran the military formation. They opened fire, killing a large number of security guards and other local forces.
“Many soldiers were killed in an attack, but I don’t have the exact number yet,” a source told SaharaReporters on Saturday.
The source claims that during the raid, the assailants stole an unknown amount of ammunition and set fire to many military vehicles including armored tanks.
The extremist group has subsequently claimed credit for the operation, publishing a statement accompanied by a video showing fighters firing towards the military station.
The most recent assault comes after a horrific ambush earlier in the week that killed seven military members, including a recently promoted Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed. On Monday, January 26, 2026, their convoy was attacked while he was bringing troops from Maiduguri to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area.
During the ambush, the attackers used explosives and heavy gunfire, according to military authorities. Several soldiers are said to have suffered severe injuries, and an unknown number of soldiers are still unaccounted for, even though some dead have been found.
Security experts observe that since Boko Haram commander Abubakar Shekau’s death, ISWAP has been bolstering its position in the Lake Chad region. The gang has reportedly boosted its ranks following the defection of hundreds of militants previously loyal to Shekau.
Despite the Nigerian Army’s repeated claims that the insurgency has been substantially contained, militant groups continue to launch high-impact strikes throughout the Northeast, frequently resulting in significant casualties that officials are accused of downplaying.
Over 100,000 people have died as a result of the battle, which has lasted for more than ten years, and millions more have been displaced from their homes, mostly in the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe.
