ISWAP Attacks Borno Military Base; Several Soldiers Killed

Islamic State West Africa Province militants attacked a Nigerian military base in Kukawa, Borno State, in a coordinated assault.

The Nigerian military said troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion came under attack from multiple directions. With support from the Air Component, the troops repelled the assault and launched a counter-offensive.

According to the military, more than 25 militants were killed, and arms and ammunition were recovered.

The military did not publicly give a figure for its own casualties. However, a senior military officer told the Associated Press that 10 soldiers were killed in the attack. Because that figure came from an unnamed officer rather than the military’s official statement, it should be reported with attribution.

ISWAP has repeatedly attacked military positions in northeastern Nigeria, particularly in Borno.

MONAFRIKA TAKE

The attack highlights the continuing security challenge in northeastern Nigeria. The conflicting level of reported casualties also means Monafrika should avoid presenting the figure of 10 dead soldiers as an official military casualty figure until the military confirms it.