- Coordinated drone strikes hit four Nigerian bases; military killed 50+ militants, pursuing 70 wounded fighters who fled.
- Boko Haram's armed drone deployment mirrors ISWAP capabilities, signaling major tactical evolution in 15-year Northeast insurgency.
- Recovered PKT machine guns indicate mechanized militant units; cross-border infiltration from Cameroon exposes regional security gaps.
Nigeria's military killed more than 50 Boko Haram militants on Thursday following coordinated drone attacks on military bases in the country's northeastern states of Borno and Yobe. Army spokesperson Sani Uba confirmed the attacks occurred early Thursday morning, with militants deploying armed drones and rocket-propelled grenades against multiple troop locations.The Nigerian military responded with combined ground and air operations to repel the attackers, who originated from northern Cameroon and Katarko village in Yobe State. Ground troops backed by the Air Component are currently pursuing over 70 wounded militants who fled the engagement.The attacks mark another escalation in the long-running insurgency in Northeast Nigeria, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced more than 2 million people over 15 years of conflict.
Attack details and military response
The coordinated assault targeted four military positions between midnight and 4 a.m. Thursday. Militants struck troop locations in Dikwa, Mafa, and Gajibo in Borno State, along with Katarko in Yobe State. The insurgents employed armed drones and rocket-propelled grenades in the simultaneous attacks.According to Army spokesperson Sani Uba, the military deployed a combination of ground forces and air support to counter the offensive. The operation resulted in the confirmed deaths of more than 50 militants and the ongoing pursuit of approximately 70 wounded fighters.The Nigerian Army recovered significant weapons cache from the engagement, including 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, and thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition.
Militant infiltration routes
Intelligence reports indicate militants attacking Dikwa and Gajibo infiltrated from northern Cameroon. Those assaulting Katarko advanced from the Timbuktu Triangle, a known insurgent stronghold in the region.The cross-border element of the attacks highlights the transnational nature of the insurgency and the challenges Nigerian forces face in securing the porous borders with neighboring countries.
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Ongoing conflict contextThe Northeast Nigeria insurgency has raged for over 15 years, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people. Both Boko Haram and its splinter group ISWAP maintain active operations in Borno and Yobe states despite sustained military pressure.ISWAP's adoption of explosive-rigged commercial drones since late 2024 has added a new dimension to the conflict. Thursday's attacks demonstrate that Boko Haram has similarly acquired drone warfare capabilities, complicating the security landscape for Nigerian forces.The humanitarian toll continues to mount, with displaced populations remaining in camps across the region and ongoing security threats preventing the return to normal life in many communities.
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Current operational status
Ground troops supported by the Air Component continue pursuit operations against the approximately 70 wounded militants who escaped the initial engagement. The Nigerian military has not provided a timeline for concluding these operations.Army spokesperson Sani Uba confirmed the military maintains close coordination between ground and air assets in the ongoing pursuit. The vast terrain of Northeast Nigeria and the militants' familiarity with local geography present challenges for tracking and apprehending fleeing fighters.No casualty figures for Nigerian military personnel have been released. The military has not commented on potential damage to the four targeted bases in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko.
Conclusion
Thursday's coordinated drone attacks and the military's response underscore the evolving nature of the Northeast Nigeria insurgency. The confirmed death of over 50 militants and recovery of substantial weapons demonstrate effective military response capabilities, while the deployment of armed drones by insurgents signals their increasing technological sophistication.The ongoing pursuit of 70 wounded militants and the cross-border infiltration from Cameroon highlight persistent challenges in securing the region and preventing insurgent operations. As the 15-year conflict continues with no resolution in sight, both sides demonstrate adaptive tactics and sustained operational capacity.The humanitarian crisis affecting more than 2 million displaced persons remains unresolved, with security conditions preventing return to normal life across large swaths of Borno and Yobe states.
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