Militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction formerly aligned with Boko Haram, have shared images from their recent attack on a Nigerian Army base in Borno State. The group, which emerged after splitting from Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the assault on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Damboa Local Government Area.
Chronicles Reporters earlier detailed the attack, which occurred early Saturday morning. According to security sources, the terror group launched the raid around 4 a.m., deploying various weapons against the military installation. “The 25 Taskforce Brigade was attacked over the weekend, and so far, we have recovered more than seven bodies,” a source disclosed on Monday, adding that several soldiers remain unaccounted for.
ISWAP, in its statement, claimed it inflicted heavy losses on the Nigerian Army, killing many soldiers and destroying military assets. The group also released photographs showing their fighters firing at the military facility. According to their claims, two armored tanks and 10 military vehicles were set ablaze during the assault.
This development appears to counter recent claims by the Nigerian military that insurgents are in retreat. In October 2024, President Bola Tinubu asserted that his administration was achieving significant progress in combating terrorism and banditry.
Since the death of Abubakar Shekau, the former leader of Boko Haram, ISWAP has strengthened its position in the Lake Chad region. The group has absorbed hundreds of Shekau’s former fighters, increasing its operational capacity.
Despite repeated assurances from the Nigerian Army that the insurgency is nearly defeated, ISWAP continues to execute attacks, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. The insurgency, which has plagued the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, has caused over 100,000 deaths and displaced millions of people.
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