How Nigerian Military Lost Three Commanding Officers To Boko Haram, ISWAP Terrorists In Seven Days

A series of separate attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno State in the last seven days claimed at least three commanding officers of the Nigerian Military who are in charge of forward operations bases.

Papers News reports that the latest casualties have raised the number of commanding officers reportedly killed in the last three months to seven, including a brigadier general.

The recent incidents underscore the persistent threat posed by insurgents in the state despite ongoing military offensives aimed at weakening their operations.

In recent months, the military has intensified operations in several high-risk locations, including the Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, the Mandara Mountains and the Lake Chad Basin.

Military authorities have repeatedly stated that the operations have resulted in the killing of several insurgent commanders and fighters across multiple fronts, with a number of terrorist camps destroyed.

However, reports indicate that insurgents have continued to mount attacks on military formations and communities across the state.

According to media reports, the three commanding officers recently killed were Major U.I. Mairiga, who headed 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.

Findings showed that most of the deaths occurred during attacks on military bases or ambushes carried out by insurgents during clearance operations.

Within the last three months, commanding officers stationed in Damasak, Kukawa and Bama have also reportedly been killed while defending their bases.

Latest Attack In Kukawa

Papers News reports that the most recent incident occurred on Monday, March 9, when insurgents reportedly overran a military camp in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing the commanding officer, Lt-Col Umar Faruq, alongside several soldiers.

According to Daily Trust, local and security sources said the insurgents launched the attack around midnight.

“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,” a security source said.

“I cannot confirm the number of casualties, but sadly we also lost the commanding officer.”

The spokesman for the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lt-Col Sani Uba, confirmed that a gallant officer died in the attack but did not disclose his identity.

Residents had earlier commended the late Faruq for repelling a similar attack on the base last month, during which many terrorists were reportedly killed.

His response during that earlier incident drew praise from residents and was widely celebrated on social media.

In a video circulating online, the lawmaker representing Kukawa Local Government Area in the Borno State House of Assembly, Karta Maina Ma’aji Lawan, was seen celebrating the earlier victory with troops.

However, the lawmaker later confirmed the latest attack, stating that calm had since returned to other military formations in the area despite the base being overrun.

Earlier, on March 1, 2026, another commanding officer, Major Umar Ibrahim Mairiga, was killed when Boko Haram insurgents attacked his base in Mayenti, Bama Local Government Area.

A security source said the officer resisted the assault but was eventually overwhelmed by the attackers.

“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,” the source said.

The source added that the officer had been deployed to the forward operations base less than four months earlier after receiving a special promotion.

The incident occurred weeks after insurgents attacked a military base in Jakana, Kaga Local Government Area, killing several soldiers.

During that attack, terrorists reportedly set armoured vehicles ablaze and carted away large quantities of ammunition.

Konduga Battalion Commander Killed

On March 6, the Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion in Konduga, Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu, was also killed along with several soldiers during another attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

Other personnel attached to the 21 Special Armoured Brigade were reportedly killed during the ambush, including a lieutenant.

Earlier, on January 28, Boko Haram fighters attacked a military formation in Damasak, killing seven soldiers, including the commanding officer, during an ambush near the town.

According to reports, the insurgents ambushed a patrol team and captured the officer before executing him alongside other personnel.

On October 20, 2025, the Nigerian Army confirmed the death of Aliyu Saidu Paiko, commanding officer of the 202 Battalion, and other soldiers during an encounter with Boko Haram terrorists in Bama Local Government Area.

Army spokeswoman, Appolonia Anele, had said troops attached to the 21 Special Armoured Brigade under Operation Hadin Kai earlier resisted terrorists during an attack on October 17 in Kashimri, Bama Local Government Area.

Last Wednesday, fourteen soldiers were reportedly killed during a coordinated attack on a military base in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area.

A senior military officer was also killed in the attack, while more than 100 people were reportedly abducted.

Sources said insurgents are still occupying Ngoshe town, forcing hundreds of residents to flee to Pulka, a neighbouring community.

Last week, on Tuesday, Boko Haram insurgents also attacked Dalwa, a community located about 20 kilometres from Maiduguri in Konduga Local Government Area.

Residents were displaced, and parts of the community were burned during the attack, according to sources.

The community had only recently been resettled by the Borno State Government.

The incident followed simultaneous attacks on four military bases in Konduga, Mainok, Jakana and Marte between 10 pm on Thursday and 3 am on Friday.

Security Expert Raises Concern

Commenting on the killing of senior military officers, a security expert and former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, described the development as worrisome.

“That should be of serious concern if you consider what it takes to train military officers,” he said.

Ejiofor explained that insurgents often operate outside conventional military procedures, making their attacks difficult to anticipate.

“They attack anywhere and in any manner. But our forces will surely overcome this,” he added.

He said the country needed both immediate and long-term measures to address the security challenges.

“As a short-term measure, citizens should volunteer credible information to security agencies.

“In the long term, broader reforms are needed, including the establishment of state police,” he said.

According to him, establishing state police would require constitutional amendments but could be achieved quickly if the National Assembly demonstrates commitment.

“It is one of the surest ways to defeat banditry, Boko Haram and terrorism,” he said.

Ejiofor also expressed optimism that security forces are making progress in the fight against insurgency.

“As elections approach, Boko Haram tends to intensify attacks despite ongoing military operations. They often do this to demonstrate that they are still active.

“They usually target both military formations and civilians to create fear and show continued presence. However, with time, our military will overcome them,” he added.

Military Confirms Coordinated Attacks

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have confirmed that ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists recently attacked several military locations in Borno and Yobe states.

The attacks targeted communities including Dalwa, Goniri, Kukawa and Mainok, as well as troop positions deep inside the Sambisa Forest.

Papers News reports that the confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Lt-Col Sani Uba.

According to the statement, the coordinated attacks took place between 10pm on March 8 and 3am on March 9, with insurgents launching simultaneous assaults from multiple directions in an attempt to overwhelm troop positions.

In Yobe State, reports revealed that terrorists infiltrated the Goniri position in Gujba Local Government Area and engaged troops in a fierce battle after breaching the defensive perimeter.

Despite the intensity of the attacks, troops resisted with strong defensive coordination while reinforcements and the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai provided timely support.

The military said the insurgents eventually withdrew after suffering heavy casualties.

Troops also recovered weapons abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, including PKT machine guns, AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs, mortar bombs and assorted ammunition.

According to the military, sections of defensive perimeters at Goniri and Kukawa were briefly breached, while some structures and vehicles were damaged during the firefights.

However, the military said all the affected locations remain under the control of Operation Hadin Kai forces.

The statement added that troops, supported by air power, have launched follow-up operations, including cordon-and-search missions in nearby communities where wounded terrorists are believed to be hiding.

“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 said.