Over 40 Soldiers Killed in Borno ISWAP Attack, Including Lieutenant Colonel SI Iliyasu

Maiduguri, Borno State – In a devastating blow to Nigeria’s security forces, over 40 soldiers have been confirmed dead following coordinated attacks by militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, on multiple military installations in Borno State. The assaults, which occurred between 10 p.m. on Thursday and 3 a.m. on Friday, targeted bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana, and Marte, leaving a trail of destruction and highlighting the persistent threat of insurgency in the northeast.

According to military sources, the terrorists launched simultaneous strikes, firing sporadically and overwhelming defenses in some locations. “We lost over 40 soldiers to those attacks. It’s so sad; we still can’t find some of our men, can’t say if they are alive or dead, but over 40 bodies have been recovered as of now,” a distraught military insider revealed. Among the fallen was Lieutenant Colonel SI Iliyasu, the Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion, who was killed alongside his men during the fierce clash in Konduga.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, rushed to Maiduguri on Saturday for an emergency briefing at the Headquarters Theatre Command, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Reports indicate that the insurgents, arriving in large groups, burned armored tanks, military vehicles, and seized significant amounts of ammunition before retreating. Despite the heavy losses, Nigerian troops managed to repel the attackers in some areas, killing scores of terrorists, including commanders.

This latest onslaught comes amid a surge in terrorist activities in Borno. As previously reported by NaijaChoice News, similar attacks have plagued the region in recent months. Just last month, in February 2026, a military base in Jakana was raided, with insurgents burning equipment and carting away ammunition. Earlier, in January 2026, a deadly ambush claimed the lives of seven soldiers, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel, en route from Maiduguri to Damasak.

The Nigerian military has often downplayed such incidents, insisting that the insurgency is on the brink of defeat. However, these repeated assaults tell a different story, with Boko Haram and ISWAP responsible for thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions in the northeast since 2009. Civilians have not been spared either; less than 24 hours before these military strikes, insurgents attacked the Ngoshe community in Gwoza, killing civilians and abducting women after overrunning a military post and an IDP camp.

Security analysts warn that the lack of timely air support during the recent attacks allowed the militants to hold bases for hours, exacerbating casualties. “The attacks on military bases keep increasing on a daily basis within the North East operation,” another source lamented.

The Federal Government has vowed to intensify efforts against the terrorists, but with mounting losses, questions arise about the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai.