Two days after a brutal attack claimed the lives of 20 fishermen in the Gadan Gari fishing community of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, another devastating strike has rocked the region.
Armed terrorists, suspected to be from Boko Haram or ISWAP, have reportedly killed a military commander, two senior officers, and 17 soldiers at a military base in Malam-Fatori, the headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area.
The attack, which occurred on Friday, 24 January 2025, saw insurgents storm the Malam-Fatori military base, located in northern Borno near the Niger border.
Armed with gun trucks, the terrorists wreaked havoc for hours, overpowering the 149 Battalion stationed there.
Many soldiers were left seriously injured, and several personnel remain unaccounted for.
It was gathered that the insurgents razed buildings and military vehicles during the assault, further complicating the already dire situation.
“The commanding officer of the battalion, two senior officers, and the base medical director were killed,” the source confirmed.
“Many soldiers were also wounded, and we are still trying to determine how many others are missing.”
This attack comes just days after a similar raid on a military base in the Sabon Gari community of Damboa Local Government Area, where several soldiers, including officers, were killed.
Intelligence also reported a deadly attack over the weekend on the 25 Taskforce Brigade, which suffered heavy casualties.
The assault on Gadan Gari, meanwhile, is another painful reminder of the ongoing instability in Borno State. On Wednesday, 21 January, insurgents attacked the fishing community at about 11:00 AM, killing at least 20 fishermen.
Among the victims was a child of a local resident, Mustapha Kachallah, who said that more than 15 people had been buried following the attack.
Since November 2024, Borno State has witnessed a disturbing resurgence of violence, with more than 40 farmers killed in Dumba, a community in Kukawa Local Government Area, just before these recent assaults.
As these deadly attacks unfold, both military and state officials have remained silent, offering no public comment on the incidents.
The resurgence of terrorist activity highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures to restore peace, especially as the government pushes forward with plans to resettle displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
