Maiduguri, Borno State – The Nigerian military has suffered significant losses in Borno State, with at least three commanding officers in charge of forward operations bases killed within a seven-day period. These casualties, stemming from attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), bring the total number of commanding officers reportedly killed to seven, alongside one brigadier general, within the last three months.
Local and security observers note that these recent attacks underscore the persistent threat posed by insurgents in Borno, despite ongoing military operations aimed at degrading their capabilities. In recent months, the military has intensified operations in high-risk locations such as the Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, the Mandara Mountains, and the Lake Chad Basin. Military statements indicate that scores of insurgent commanders and fighters are being killed, and several major terrorist camps destroyed.
Among the three commanding officers recently killed were Major U.I. Mairiga, who led the Mayenti base; Lt-Col Umar Faruq, commander of the Kukawa base and the 101 Brigade; and Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu, who served in Konduga. Previously, commanding officers stationed in Damasak, Kukawa, and Bama have also reportedly been killed while defending their bases, with most deaths occurring during direct attacks on military installations or ambushes during clearance operations.
The most recent incident occurred on Monday, March 9, when insurgents overran a military camp in Kukawa Local Government Area, killing Lt-Col Umar Faruq along with several soldiers. A security source revealed that “They stormed the town from multiple directions and launched an assault on the military camp. They dislodged the troops, set vehicles ablaze and carted away ammunition,” adding, “I cannot confirm the number of casualties, but sadly we also lost the commanding officer.” The spokesman of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lt-Col Sani Uba, confirmed the death of a gallant officer without disclosing his identity. This attack followed a previous attempt last month, which Lt-Col Faruq had successfully repelled, earning him commendation from residents and social media.
Earlier in March, on March 1, 2026, Major Umar Ibrahim Mairiga was killed when Boko Haram terrorists attacked his base in Mayenti, Bama Local Government Area. A security source recounted, “The unit commander, Major U.I. Mairiga, gave the terrorists a tough fight but was eventually overpowered after some of his soldiers fled into the bush. He died a brave soldier. He killed many of them before being overpowered. When I arrived as reinforcement, we recovered RPGs, anti-aircraft weapons and saw many corpses of Boko Haram fighters.” This officer had been deployed to the forward operations base less than four months prior after a special promotion.
On March 6, Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu, Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion in Konduga, was also killed along with several soldiers during another Boko Haram attack. Other personnel from the 21 Special Armoured Brigade were reportedly killed during this ambush. Earlier, on January 28, Boko Haram fighters attacked a military formation in Damasak, killing seven soldiers, including their commanding officer, during an ambush near the town. On October 20, 2025, the Nigerian Army had also confirmed the death of Aliyu Saidu Paiko, commanding officer of the 202 Battalion, and other soldiers during an encounter in Bama Local Government Area.
Last Wednesday, fourteen soldiers were reportedly killed and a senior military officer lost his life during a coordinated attack on a military base in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, where over 100 people were also abducted. Insurgents are reportedly still occupying Ngoshe, with hundreds of residents fleeing to Pulka. Additionally, Boko Haram attacked Dalwa, a community near Maiduguri, displacing residents and razing parts of the area, following simultaneous attacks on four military bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana, and Marte.
Commenting on the alarming rate of officer fatalities, security expert and former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, described the development as worrying. “That should be of serious concern if you consider what it takes to train military officers,” he said, noting that insurgents’ unconventional tactics make their attacks difficult to predict. Ejiofor emphasized the need for both short-term measures, like citizens volunteering credible information, and long-term reforms, such as the establishment of state police. He expressed optimism that security forces are making progress and will overcome the insurgency, despite the typical intensification of attacks by Boko Haram during election periods to demonstrate continued activity.
The Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed the recent attacks by ISWAP and Boko Haram on multiple military locations in Borno and Yobe states, including Dalwa, Goniri, Kukawa, and Mainok, as well as positions within the Sambisa Forest. In a statement issued Monday by Media Information Officer Lt-Col Sani Uba, it was stated that coordinated attacks occurred between 10 pm on March 8 and 3 am on March 9. Despite fierce resistance and timely support from air components, sections of defensive perimeters at Goniri and Kukawa were briefly breached, and some structures and vehicles were damaged. However, the military maintained that all locations remain under the control of Operation Hadin Kai forces, with follow-up operations underway. “Regrettably, the engagements claimed the lives of some brave soldiers, including an outstanding officer in Kukawa who paid the ultimate price in defence of our nation and the protection of innocent citizens,” the statement concluded.
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