BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
A resurgence of coordinated attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province on military formations and civilian communities across northern Nigeria has raised fresh fears that the country may be sliding into a more dangerous phase of insurgency.
In the last three weeks, no fewer than 65 Nigerian soldiers have reportedly been killed in a series of assaults on military bases and surrounding communities across Borno State and Katsina State.
Security sources and analysts say the attacks appear to be part of a calculated campaign by insurgents to reclaim territory and reassert operational control in parts of the North-East.
Several communities and military formations across Borno and Katsina states have come under sustained assaults in recent weeks.
Some of the towns attacked in Borno include Jakana, Kawuri and Dalori in Konduga Local Government Area; Mainok in Kaga LGA; and parts of Marte LGA.
Among the officers reportedly killed in the attacks were Lt. Col. Umar Farouk, who died during the assault on the Chukka military base on March 9; Lt. Col. S.I. Iliyasu, killed in an attack on the 222 Battalion in Konduga on March 6; and Major U.I. Mairiga, who died in an attack on a military base in Mayenti, Bama LGA, on March 1.
Others include Lt. Ismaeel Baba and Major Segun Amusan.
According to Amaq News Agency, a media outlet linked to the Islamic State, ISWAP carried out multiple attacks on military bases in Konduga LGA of Borno State.
In one of the assaults, the group claimed it killed a senior military officer and two soldiers while destroying the base and burning 11 military vehicles.
The insurgents also claimed to have seized 68 motorcycles and razed a police station, killing four officers.
ISWAP also claimed responsibility for attacks on military formations in Marte LGA, Jakana town and Mainok, where several soldiers were reportedly killed.
Meanwhile, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a March 5 attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza LGA of Borno State, where scores of soldiers and civilians were reportedly killed and more than 300 people abducted.
However, troops of the Nigerian military, supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilantes, later recaptured the base in Ngoshe and killed several terrorists.
Following the attacks, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu convened a security meeting with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Details of the meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, were not disclosed.
Why attacks are increasing
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, attributed the surge in attacks to extremist beliefs among terrorists, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to him, many fighters believe dying during battle would guarantee them passage to paradise.
He added that the military had adjusted its strategies and was making progress in the counter-insurgency campaign.
“We have taken over some of those locations, killed their commanders and seized their assets. Mr President has approved additional measures already in the pipeline,” he said.
However, security analysts and residents in affected communities said insurgents were targeting military formations to weaken government presence and create operational space in reclaimed territories.
A security expert and fellow of the Institute of Security Nigeria, Chigozie Ubani, said the insurgents’ long-term goal was to reclaim territory and establish ideological control.
“Their strategy is to terrorise, displace residents and then occupy the space,” he said.
According to him, the repeated attacks on communities and military formations are designed to force residents to flee, allowing militants to establish influence in abandoned areas.
Locals raise concerns
Residents of Borno State also expressed concern over what they described as a deliberate effort by insurgents to dominate territory.
A community leader in Gwoza LGA, Modu Hassan, said the militants openly declared their intention to turn captured towns into their own administrative provinces.
“They killed many people and later released a video saying they wanted to make the town their province,” he said.
Hassan also rejected claims that the violence was religiously motivated.
“This is not Islam. Killing and displacing innocent people has no basis in Islam,” he said.
Why soldiers are targeted
Security sources told Frontline Reporters that military personnel are often the first targets during attacks because they control entry and exit routes into many communities.
“Soldiers are stationed at strategic points. For insurgents to carry out attacks on communities, they must confront the military first,” one operative said.
A retired military officer, Brigadier General George Emdin, attributed some of the military’s setbacks to internal sabotage.
According to him, the presence of informants leaking operational details to insurgents has made counter-terrorism efforts more difficult.
“The enemies within are often worse than those outside,” he said.
Political undercurrents
Security officials also suggested that the renewed wave of attacks might be linked to political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A senior operative of the Department of State Services said insurgent groups sometimes intensify attacks during politically sensitive periods to undermine public confidence in the government.
He noted that a similar pattern occurred before the 2015 elections during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Call for new strategy
Another retired military officer, Brigadier General Peter Aro, called for a change in tactics to address the evolving nature of the insurgency.
According to him, insurgent groups have shifted from holding large territories to conducting highly mobile and coordinated attacks on military formations and vulnerable communities.
He said the situation highlights the need for improved intelligence, better equipment, rapid-response capabilities and stronger troop morale.
Ahmed Shehu, Chairman of Civil Society Organisations in the North-East, also urged the military to deploy more advanced technology to improve coordination among security agencies and reduce casualties.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, assured Frontline Reporters that the military was taking steps to contain the attacks.
“Actions are being implemented to curtail these attacks, and the results will soon be visible,” he said.
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2026-03-15
