Suspected Islamic State-aligned fighters killed 15 troops and five anti-jihadist militia members when they attacked and burnt down a military base in northeastern Nigeria on Wednesday. Defense and local sources confirmed the raid occurred in Borno state.
A large group of Islamic State West Africa Province fighters overran the military facility in Mairari village in the Lake Chad area overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. The attackers looted weapons before setting fire to the compound.
A Nigerian military officer said the terrorists killed 15 soldiers and five civilian Joint Task Force members assisting the troops. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he lacked authorization to discuss the incident publicly. The militants razed the base to the ground, forcing surviving troops to withdraw toward the garrison town of Monguno, situated about 18 kilometres away.
Several soldiers remained missing following the engagement. Colleagues expressed fear that the missing personnel may have been captured by the jihadists.
Grema Butari, a resident of Mairari, stated that the fighters struck the base at approximately 2200 GMT. The assault led to a prolonged battle that dislodged the troops and allowed the attackers to remain at the site until daybreak.
Butari added that the assailants took everything of value they could carry. They burned the remaining supplies along with several vehicles.
Ahmad Sherif, another local resident, stated that the jihadists likely launched the operation from their stronghold in Gudumbali, located in the neighbouring Guzamala district. Sherif confirmed the total destruction of the base.
Borno is the epicentre of a 17-year jihadist insurgency led by Boko Haram and its splinter faction ISWAP. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions of people across northeastern Nigeria.
Violence in the region had eased from its peak a decade ago, but security incidents have risen over the past two years. Nigeria is currently experiencing its most violent period in nearly three decades. The second quarter of 2026 recorded the highest level of violence since the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project began tracking data in 1997.
Last week, approximately two dozen militants and soldiers died when ISWAP fighters targeted a military outpost in neighbouring Kukawa. The attackers looted weapons before fighter jets assisted ground forces in driving them back.
The long-running insurgency has killed tens of thousands of people. United Nations figures show the conflict has also displaced around two million residents from their homes in the northeast.
