MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA – A coordinated assault by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military base in Mairari, Borno State, has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least ten soldiers and four civilians. The harrowing incident occurred last Tuesday within the Guzamala Local Government Area, situated approximately 120 to 130 kilometres north of the state capital, Maiduguri.
Intense Gunbattle and Heavy Casualties Reported
Reliable security sources indicate that a substantial number of insurgents stormed the military establishment, initiating a fierce and prolonged gunbattle with the stationed troops. While military personnel are reported to have defended their position valiantly, neutralising numerous attackers, the terrorists succeeded in inflicting severe casualties and causing extensive damage to vital military hardware.
The destruction included several gun trucks and operational vehicles belonging to both the regular troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed, "More than 10 soldiers and four civilians have reportedly been killed after suspected fighters of the Islamic State-backed faction attacked the military formation."
Ali Bukar Mairari, a local resident who fled the scene during the attack, corroborated these accounts, stating that more than eleven individuals lost their lives and multiple operational vehicles were set ablaze during the raid. Hon. Lawan Sheriff, the Executive Chairman of Guzamala, confirmed that the attack took place but refrained from disclosing specific casualty figures at the time.
Communication Challenges and Strategic Importance
Information concerning the attack was significantly delayed in reaching the wider public due to a complete absence of telecommunication networks in the remote region where the incident occurred. This communication blackout often exacerbates the challenges faced by both residents and security forces in these troubled areas.
Mairari holds considerable strategic significance, being one of the few towns in the area that has managed to withstand numerous Boko Haram onslaughts. It previously served as the temporary headquarters of the Guzamala Area Council after terrorists successfully captured the official headquarters in Gudumbali. The continued insurgent control over Gudumbali remains a source of profound frustration for local leaders and residents alike.
Calls for Action and Official Silence
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, who originates from Guzamala, has repeatedly decried the persistent inability of security agencies to reclaim the council headquarters. Despite his numerous appeals, the desired military action to retake Gudumbali has yet to materialise.
Efforts to obtain an official statement from ASP Kenneth Daso, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages remained unanswered at the time of reporting. Similarly, the military high command has not yet released an official casualty toll or a formal statement regarding the Mairari incident. This silence comes as security operations and reinforcement efforts continue in the troubled northern fringes of Lake Chad, an area frequently targeted by insurgent groups.