ISWAP Kills Another Commanding Officer, Others In Fresh Borno, Yobe As Troops Repel Attacks

Suspected Islamic State West Africa Province ( ISWAP ) terrorists have killed a commanding officer of the Nigerian Army and some of his soldiers following a deadly attack on Kukawa local government area of Borno State.

Credible security sources said the officer, identified as Lt Col Umar Farouq, was in charge of military operations in Kukawa and was wounded in action, but unfortunately died while being conveyed to Maiduguri for treatment.

LEADERSHIP reports that another Commanding Officer, Lt Col SI Iliyasu, was killed along with some soldiers during an attack by Boko Haram terrorists in Konduga military base early morning of Friday that equally witnessed multiple simultaneous attacks on Marte, Gajiran and Jakana.

The terrorists as well suffered casualties in the attacks as troops repelled them with heavy gunfire.

In the Kukawa attack, the security source added that the terrorists killed an unspecified number of soldiers while defending the community from the insurgents.

“The Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists attacked Kukawa military base, which was burnt down, and ammunition cartels were taken away.

“The Commanding Officer sustained critical injuries and died on his way to Maiduguri for medical treatment. Some soldiers lost their lives,” he said.

He added, “Goniri military base in Yobe State was also destroyed, and several military vehicles were destroyed/captured, and the ISWAP terrorists carted away weapons and ammunition.”

During the assault, the insurgents reportedly looted weapons and ammunition from the base and set several military gun trucks ablaze.

Also, the Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Dalwa community in the Konduga Local Government Area on Sunday night, dislodging residents and razed down the community

Dalwa was among the communities recently resettled by the Borno State Government in December 2025 as part of post-conflict recovery efforts.

Dalwa is about 20 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Meanwhile, some personnel attached to the 21 Special Armour Brigade were killed during the ambush, including a Lieutenant and other soldiers, in Sambisa last Friday.

Some wounded soldiers in a video circulated online were also seen receiving treatment as their colleagues held IV fluids for them.

Also, Boko Haram attacked Ngoshe and Pulka in Gwoza local government area barely a week ago, where an officer and 14 soldiers were killed in a simultaneous attack.

It would be recalled that the terrorists are currently in Ngoshe alongside more than 200 civilians.

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) assault also targeted a military base when insurgents launched an offensive on the Forward Base operations at Banki junction, along the Bama–Gwaza road.

They were said to have fired at the military facility sporadically, causing numerous casualties, including a Major identified as U.I. Mairiga.

“An attack at Forward Base operations at Banki junction around 0400hrs by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists led to the death of an Army Major and many other soldiers this morning.

“Their corpses are being transferred to the 7 Division military hospital in Maiduguri,” a source said.

Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) successfully defeated multiple coordinated attacks launched by ISWAP terrorists on military locations in Delwa, Goniri, Kukawa, Mainok and troops harbour positions deep in the Sambisa Forest.

A statement issued to Journalists on Monday in Maiduguri by the media information officer OPHK, Lt Col Sani Uba, said the attacks, which occurred during the night of Sunday 8 and Monday 9 of March 2026, were mounted simultaneously from several directions in an apparent attempt by the terrorists to overwhelm troop positions

He said undeterred by the intensity of the assaults and the heavy firepower employed by the terrorists, the gallant troops were formed and responded with exceptional determination.

He said fighting across multiple fronts, the troops effectively coordinated their defensive actions while reinforcements and the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided timely and decisive support during the engagements.

The statement added that the terrorists were consequently met with overwhelming resistance and were forced into withdrawal after suffering significant casualties from several terrorist bodies left behind.

He said impressively,troops also recovered weapons and equipment abandoned during their retreat, including two PKT machine guns, six AK-47 rifles, eight RPG bombs, four mortar bombs, and assorted ammunition of various calibres.

” In the course of the engagements, sections of the defensive perimeters at Goniri and Kukawa were momentarily breached, while a number of structures within the bases and vehicles sustained damage due to the intensity of the firefights.

” All locations however remain firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI troops. Ground forces, supported by the Air Component, are currently conducting follow-up exploitation operations in the affected areas. In addition, cordon and search operations are ongoing in neighbouring communities where some of the wounded terrorists were discovered to be seeking refuge.

” Regrettably, the engagements claimed the lives of some brave and gallant soldiers, including an outstanding officer in Kukawa, who paid the ultimate price in defence of our nation and the protection of innocent citizens.

” Their sacrifices will continue to inspire their comrades in the ongoing fight against terrorism. Troops remain vigilant, motivated and committed to sustaining relentless operations to deny the terrorists freedom of action and ensure lasting security, peace and economic stability across the North East region,” the OPHK media information officer said.