Boko Haram: Military, Local Sources Differ on Death Toll After Borno Base Attack

By Reporter

Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly attack on a Nigerian military Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, in the early hours of Friday, leaving several soldiers and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members dead.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Haruna Sani, the attack occurred at about 3 a.m. under heavy rainfall and poor visibility. He said the terrorists attempted to breach sections of the military base, but troops mounted a fierce counteroffensive that repelled the assault and inflicted casualties on the attackers.
Sani stated that five soldiers were killed during the intense exchange of gunfire and close-quarter combat.

He also confirmed the deaths of three CJTF members who were supporting military operations at the base. Injured personnel were airlifted for treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.

He described the fallen soldiers as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation, adding that troops remain in full control of the base and have continued clearance and exploitation operations in the area.

“The courage and resilience displayed by our troops at FOB Mandaragirau demonstrate their unwavering commitment to defeating terrorism in the North-East,” Sani said.

He further noted that the attack reflected the growing desperation of terrorist groups facing sustained military pressure across the region.

According to him, additional troops and combat resources have been deployed to strengthen security and protect local communities.

However, local sources presented a different account of the incident. Residents and community leaders said the insurgents operated at the military location for nearly an hour during the downpour, encountering little resistance as they carried out the attack.

The President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, confirmed the assault and claimed that multiple locations were targeted.

“Yes, the attack occurred. They stormed the area and killed many soldiers. It was not just one location that came under attack,” he said.

Kaigama called on the government to strengthen security measures and improve intelligence gathering through greater community involvement.

Military sources also suggested that the casualty figures may be higher than officially reported. One source alleged that the insurgents pursued fleeing soldiers after breaching the base, while another claimed that more than eight soldiers were killed and several others injured.

An unconfirmed video monitored on social media allegedly showed the aftermath of the attack, with soldiers and CJTF members discussing the incident and multiple bodies visible within the military facility.

The attack is the latest in a series of assaults by insurgent groups in Borno State, despite ongoing military operations aimed at restoring security across Nigeria’s North-East region.