By Our Correspondent
Suspected fighters of Boko Haram launched a deadly assault on a military base in Kukawa, leaving scores of soldiers and insurgents feared dead after hours of intense fighting.
According to security sources, the attackers stormed the base in the early hours of Monday, advancing from multiple directions and engaging troops in a fierce gun battle. The insurgents reportedly overwhelmed the military formation, forcing soldiers to retreat while several military vehicles and equipment were destroyed during the confrontation.
A senior officer, identified as Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, was among those reportedly killed in the attack. Although the exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed, reports indicate that dozens of both soldiers and militants may have died in the clash.
The attackers are believed to be linked to either Boko Haram or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), two extremist groups that have continued to carry out violent attacks across northeastern Nigeria despite ongoing military operations.
The incident is part of a series of coordinated attacks in the region, where insurgents have increasingly targeted military bases in an attempt to capture weapons, weaken security forces, and expand their control over remote communities. The northeastern state of Borno State remains the epicenter of the long-running insurgency that has displaced millions of people and claimed thousands of lives over the past decade.
Military authorities are yet to release an official statement detailing the full extent of the casualties or damage from the attack. However, reinforcements have reportedly been deployed to the area as security forces intensify operations to track down the fleeing militants and restore stability in the affected community.
