A yet-to-be-confirmed number of Nigerian soldiers have been killed after Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military base in Banki town, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. The assault, which happened around midnight on Thursday, targeted the 152 Task Force Battalion, a unit actively engaged in Operation Hadin Kai.
Sources told Standarddailypress that the insurgents stormed the base, overpowered the troops and held control of the area for several hours. In the process, they burnt down armoured tanks and military vehicles before carting away a large cache of weapons and ammunition. Survivors of the attack reportedly fled across the border into Cameroon.
“Yesterday, 152 TF Battalion close to Banki town under Bama LGA was dislodged by Boko Haram terrorists. They were in charge of the base for several hours, stealing military equipment and ammunition. Casualties are still unknown,” one source revealed.
Another military source confirmed the incident, noting that many soldiers were still missing as of Friday morning. “The base is close to the Cameroon border. Casualties are still being counted, and dozens of vehicles were destroyed in the attack,” he said.
Nigeria has battled Boko Haram insurgency for nearly two decades, with the conflict claiming over 100,000 lives and displacing millions across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. Despite repeated assurances from the military that the group has been “degraded,” soldiers on the frontline have often complained of being ill-equipped and left vulnerable against better-armed insurgents.
