A Friday dawn assault allegedly carried out by suspected Boko Haram terrorists has left Nigeria's military shaken after an attack on an army position along the Mandara–Buratai axis in Borno State. Several soldiers are reportedly feared dead, and others have been injured.
Details of the Attack
Security sources reported that gunmen stormed the location, believed to be occupied by troops of the 162 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, in the early hours of Friday. The attackers struck around 4 a.m., taking advantage of heavy rainfall and reduced visibility to launch a coordinated raid on the facility.
According to military insiders in Biu, the assailants arrived in large numbers and temporarily overwhelmed parts of the base during the surprise offensive. The Mandara–Buratai corridor, a known flashpoint in ongoing counterinsurgency operations, reportedly became a scene of chaos as troops attempted to repel the attackers under difficult weather conditions.
Unconfirmed Reports and Response
Unconfirmed accounts in the Biu community also suggested that some of the soldiers killed in the confrontation may have been subjected to further brutality, though authorities have not verified these claims. The affected military position is linked to operations along the Mandara–Buratai Road, an area that has witnessed repeated insurgent activity over the years due to its proximity to mountainous terrain used by armed groups.
Reinforcement units of the Army and Nigerian Air Force were reportedly deployed to the area shortly after the attack to stabilise the situation, recover control, and assess the extent of casualties and damage. However, details remain sketchy as military authorities have yet to release an official statement confirming the incident or providing an exact casualty figure.
Current Status
As of press time, uncertainty continues to surround the full scale of the attack, with security sources describing ongoing operations in the affected area. The Nigerian Army has not issued an official response regarding the reported assault.
