ISWAP Militants Kill 15 Soldiers, Five Militia Members In Nigeria Attack

Suspected Islamic State-aligned militants killed 15 soldiers and five anti-jihadist militia members in an overnight attack on a military base in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno state, destroying the facility and forcing troops to withdraw, defence and local sources told AFP on Wednesday.

A large group of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters stormed the base in Mairari village, in the Lake Chad region, overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. The militants looted weapons before setting the base on fire, according to the sources.

“The terrorists killed 15 soldiers and five civilian JTF (anti-jihadist militia) assisting the soldiers during the attack,” a Nigerian military officer told AFP.

The officer, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said the militants “razed the base to the ground”, forcing troops to retreat towards Monguno, a garrison town around 18 kilometres (11 miles) away. Several soldiers were also missing, raising fears that they may have been captured.

Mairari resident Grema Butari said the attackers struck at around 2200 GMT and overcame the troops following a prolonged battle. The fighters remained at the base until daybreak, taking valuables and burning the remaining equipment and several vehicles, he said.

Another resident, Ahmad Sherif, said the attackers were believed to have come from their stronghold in Gudumbali, in the neighbouring Guzamala district. He also confirmed the base had been completely destroyed.

Insurgency Intensifies In Northeastern Nigeria

Borno state has been at the centre of Nigeria’s jihadist insurgency for more than 17 years. The conflict began in 2009 with Boko Haram and later expanded with the emergence of its splinter group, ISWAP, killing thousands and displacing millions across the country’s northeast.

Although violence declined from its peak around a decade ago, attacks have increased over the past two years.

Nigeria is experiencing its most violent period in nearly three decades, with the second quarter of 2026 recording the highest level of violence since the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) project began tracking incidents in 1997.

Last week, around two dozen militants and soldiers were killed when ISWAP fighters attacked a military outpost in neighbouring Kukawa district. The attackers looted weapons before being pushed back with the support of fighter jets, according to military and local sources.

The United Nations estimates that the 17-year insurgency has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around two million from their homes in northeastern Nigeria.