By Aminu Adamu
Fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Friday night ambushed a Nigerian military convoy in Borno State, reportedly abducting a senior army general and killing several soldiers, including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Security sources told HumAngle that the attack occurred along a key route in the state’s northern axis, an area that has witnessed repeated militant movements in recent weeks. The convoy was said to have been on an operational patrol when it came under heavy fire from the insurgents.
According to field accounts, the assailants detonated improvised explosive devices before opening fire, overwhelming the troops. Several soldiers were killed instantly, while others sustained injuries. The kidnapped senior officer was reportedly taken away after the militants overpowered the unit.
As of press time, the Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters had yet to issue an official statement on the attack. Efforts by Premium Times to reach military spokespersons were unsuccessful.
Military Response and Ongoing Operations
A senior security source in Maiduguri confirmed that reinforcement teams have been deployed to the area to recover the remains of the fallen soldiers and pursue the attackers. Troop search and rescue operations were ongoing on Saturday morning.
The source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the ambush underscores ISWAP’s renewed mobility in parts of northern Borno despite ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.
“The group has been taking advantage of the difficult terrain and poor communication coverage to carry out quick strikes,” the source said. “Our troops are regrouping to ensure the kidnapped officer and other missing personnel are rescued.”
Rising Insurgent Activity
The latest incident follows a pattern of renewed ISWAP attacks on security formations and convoys in Borno and Yobe States. In September, the group carried out coordinated assaults on military posts in Kukawa and Monguno, while in October, a similar ambush near Gajiram left multiple soldiers injured.
Analysts say the ambushes highlight persistent security gaps on rural highways and the militants’ capacity to mount surprise offensives despite military gains in the North-East theatre.
ISWAP, which split from Boko Haram in 2016, remains one of the deadliest insurgent groups in the Lake Chad region. The group frequently targets troops, humanitarian convoys, and local vigilantes aligned with the Nigerian Army.
Context
Borno State has been the epicentre of Nigeria’s 14-year insurgency, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. While the military maintains that the insurgents have been largely degraded, sporadic ambushes and attacks on security assets continue to undermine stability in remote communities.
As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were still ongoing, and casualty figures were yet to be officially confirmed.
