Borno State Faces Surge in Military Casualties from Insurgents

In recent weeks, Borno State has witnessed a surge in attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), leading to the deaths of at least three commanding officers in the Nigerian Army. The casualties include Lt Col Umar Faruq of the Kukawa base, Lt Col S.

Iliyasu of Konduga, and Major Umar Ibrahim Mairiga of Mayenti base, all killed during coordinated assaults on military installations. Over the past three months, approximately 40 soldiers have been reported killed due to these insurgent attacks.

Notably, on March 9, insurgents overran a military camp in Kukawa, resulting in the death of Lt Col Faruq and several soldiers. The military has intensified operations in high-risk areas such as Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad Basin, yet the insurgents continue to pose a significant threat, executing ambushes and attacks on military bases, including a recent incident on March 6 that resulted in further casualties.