The Nigerian military has confirmed that fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked the Forward Operating Base in Magumeri, Borno State in the early hours of Thursday, admitting that the terrorists breached part of the military facility before troops eventually repelled the assault.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Spokesperson for Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military said troops “gallantly and decisively” defeated the attackers after intense fighting.
The statement comes hours after SaharaReporters exclusively reported that ISWAP terrorists invaded the military base on Wednesday night, allegedly killing several soldiers, injuring others, and forcing personnel to flee the camp.
According to the military, the terrorists attacked the Forward Operating Base under the cover of darkness and poor visibility but were eventually overpowered by troops.
“Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in the early hours of 7 May 2026, successfully contained an attack by ISWAP terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) MAGUMERI under Sector 3,” the statement read.
“The terrorists attempted to infiltrate the location under poor visibility. Although the terrorists recorded minor breaches on an isolated section of the camp, impressively, troops fought gallantly and decisively contained and defeated the attack by neutralising scores of the terrorists.”
The military claimed that follow-up operations around the area revealed blood trails, dragged bodies, and corpses of terrorists allegedly killed during the encounter.
“It is important to state that further exploitation of the general area revealed extensive blood trails, body drags and the recovery of terrorist corpses, confirming the heavy casualties inflicted on the attackers during the failed assault,” the statement added.
The army also disclosed that troops recovered several weapons abandoned by the fleeing insurgents, including PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, AK-47 rifles, and magazines.
However, the military admitted that two soldiers were killed during the battle, while an officer and other wounded personnel were receiving treatment.
“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the battle, while an officer and other wounded personnel are currently stable and receiving appropriate medical attention,” the statement said.
The army further acknowledged that some military equipment and temporary structures inside the base were destroyed by fire during the exchange of gunfire.
Before the military’s official statement, multiple security sources had told SaharaReporters that the terrorists stormed the base in more than 10 gun trucks and overwhelmed soldiers stationed there.
Sources said that many soldiers were killed during the surprise attack, while others, including the commanding officer of the base, Lieutenant Colonel Manu, sustained injuries.
“One military base in Magumeri town, under Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State, was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists last night. They killed many soldiers and injured others, including the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Manu,” one of the sources had said.
“It was a surprise night attack. The terrorists also made off with military operational vehicles, along with various arms and ammunition.”
Magumeri, located about 35 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, has repeatedly come under attack by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents over the years.
The latest assault adds to a growing list of deadly attacks targeting military formations across the North-East in recent months.
A few weeks ago, insurgents killed more than 10 soldiers, including the Commander of Sector 3 under Operation Hadin Kai, Colonel I.A. Mohammed, during an ambush in the Monguno area of Borno State.
On March 9, 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq and several soldiers were reportedly killed after insurgents overran a military base in Kukawa Local Government Area.
Similarly, on March 6, terrorists killed Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, commanding officer of the 222 Battalion, during coordinated attacks in the state.
@SaharaReporters