Boko Haram Attack Kills Army Commanding Officer, 2 Senior Officers, and Others 

A deadly Boko Haram attack has claimed the lives of an army commanding officer, two senior officers, and several others, raising concerns over the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria.

More than 20 Nigerian Army personnel, including a commanding officer and two senior officers, have reportedly lost their lives in a Boko Haram attack in Borno State.

Numerous soldiers are still unaccounted for following the assault on Friday, January 24, 2025.

As reported by SaharaReporters, the assault was directed at the 149 Battalion in Malam-Fatori, which serves as the administrative hub of Abadam Local Government Area near the Niger Republic border.

In the area, home to thousands displaced by the insurgency, terrorists launched an offensive utilizing multiple gun trucks.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers set buildings and military vehicles on fire, injuring numerous soldiers. Tragically, among those confirmed dead were the battalion’s commanding officer, the base medical director, and another senior officer.

A source revealed, “The 25 Taskforce Brigade faced an attack over the weekend resulting in significant casualties. To date, more than seven bodies have been recovered.”

Earlier in the week, Boko Haram launched an attack on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno, resulting in undetermined casualties and leaving many individuals unaccounted for. ISWAP later took responsibility for the assault, releasing images showing their fighters targeting the facility.

Counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama contested the assertions that Malam-Fatori’s military base had been overrun.

In a statement posted on his X account, Makama clarified that the troops encountered a suicide attack during operations in the Timbuktu Triangle, Yobe, rather than at a stationary military base.

Makama reported that the attack was carried out using a Person-Borne Vehicle Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) by ISWAP fighters during an offensive operation, leading to the death of the commanding officer and others. He encouraged people to dismiss claims that the Malam-Fatori base had been overrun.

He stated: “There was no attack on the Malam Fatori Military Base. Instead, troops were targeted in a suicide assault while combating ISWAP in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Yobe.”

Recent reports indicate that Boko Haram insurgents have attacked and overtaken a military base in Malam-Fatori, Borno State, causing significant casualties among Nigerian Army personnel.

“However, this report is incorrect because the 149th Battalion mentioned is actually part of Sector 2 operations in Yobe State and not stationed in Malam-Fatori.”

While carrying out an operation in the Timbuktu Triangle, troops from the 149 Battalion faced a suicide attack by fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), who used a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device against them.

Tragically, the Commanding Officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, along with several others lost their lives during this encounter. This incident took place during an offensive maneuver into the Timbuktu Triangle rather than at a static military base.