Nigerian Forces Repel Multiple Insurgent Attacks Across Northeast, Killing Scores of Fighters
Military says troops backed by air support thwart coordinated assaults on bases in Borno and Yobe states, as jihadists intensify campaign
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — March 19, 2026 — Nigerian troops have repelled a series of coordinated insurgent attacks on military positions across the northeastern states of Borno and Yobe over the past week, killing scores of fighters including senior commanders, the military has confirmed, as jihadist groups intensify their long-running campaign to establish a caliphate in the region .
In the deadliest engagement, troops backed by air support thwarted a pre-dawn assault on an army position in Mallam Fatori near the border with Niger on Wednesday, killing at least 80 insurgents, including three “high-profile” commanders, military task force spokesperson Sani Uba said in a statement . The fighters, believed to be from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction, advanced on foot and deployed armed drones in an attempt to breach the 68 Battalion’s defensive area, but vigilant troops detected the movement early and responded with what officials described as overwhelming firepower .
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“Troops had anticipated the assault and mounted an ‘offensive-defensive’ response, beating back the attack with ground fire and air support,” Uba said . Nigeria’s air force carried out precision strikes, while allied Nigerien jets hit retreating insurgents. Four soldiers were wounded and evacuated for treatment, Uba added, noting that airstrike damage assessments were ongoing . Troops recovered a large cache of weapons, including assault rifles, RPG launchers, machine guns, ammunition, improvised explosive devices, and armed-drone components .
The Army’s statement on Facebook confirmed that following the fierce firefight, remaining insurgents retreated in disarray toward the Arege area. “Troops have since commenced exploitation operations to pursue and eliminate the fleeing terrorists, while Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms are being deployed to dominate the adversary’s withdrawal routes and prevent regrouping,” the Army stated .
Coordinated Campaign Across Multiple Fronts
Wednesday’s successful defense followed a wave of insurgent attacks across the region. In the early hours of Friday, March 13, troops repelled coordinated terrorist assaults on military positions at Azir Bridge in Sector 2 and the military base at Banki in Sector 1, according to Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai . The terrorists advanced in large numbers attempting to overrun the locations but were met with immediate and overwhelming resistance.
“The engagements were further reinforced by effective close air support from the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, which contributed significantly to the successful defeat of the attackers,” Uba said in a statement . He noted that the failed attacks contradicted what he described as misleading propaganda circulating on some online media platforms, reassuring the public that troops remain firmly in control of all locations .
On the night of March 9, terrorists attacked a military formation in Goniri, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, destroying operational vehicles before troops repelled the assault and forced the attackers to retreat after suffering heavy casualties, according to a timeline compiled by The ICIR .
However, not all attacks were successfully repelled. On the same night, insurgents stormed a town in Kukawa LGA, Borno State, launching a multi-directional attack on the military camp that killed the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, who was in charge of military operations in Kukawa . Farouq sustained critical injuries and died on his way to Maiduguri for medical treatment, while other soldiers also lost their lives in the attack .
Between March 5 and 6, insurgents simultaneously attacked four military bases—Konduga, Mainok, Jakana, and Marte—killing the Commanding Officer of 222 Battalion Konduga, Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, along with several soldiers . The military reported killing scores of Boko Haram terrorists in repelling those attacks .
Suicide Bombings in Maiduguri
The intensified military campaign followed multiple suicide bombings on Monday in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, that killed at least 23 and left more than 100 wounded . The attacks targeted three public locations—the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), the Post Office area, and El-Kanemi Monday Market—during the Iftar period when Muslims gather to break their daily fast during Ramadan .
Before the bombings, terrorists had attempted to overrun a military position in Ajilari, a garrison suburb of Maiduguri adjacent to a Nigerian Air Force base and close to the international airport . Police and military authorities confirmed the attack was repelled, with no civilian casualties reported .
“At about 12:15 am this morning, we started hearing gunshots coming from the military base. Later, we realised it was an attack by insurgents believed to be Boko Haram,” Ajilari Cross resident Mustapha Aminu told AFP, adding that residents counted four corpses of the attackers .
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Another resident, Yakaka Ali Gana, noted that “this is the first time attackers have stormed our community and attacked the military base,” underscoring the significance of the assault on a city that had been relatively calm in recent years . The last major attack on Maiduguri dated back to 2021, when Boko Haram jihadists fired mortars at the city, killing 10 people .
Presidential Response and Troop Deployment
President Bola Tinubu has ordered service chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to take direct control of the security situation following the coordinated attacks, according to a State House statement . The president expressed deep sorrow over the attacks, mourning those killed and sympathising with the injured, and assured Borno residents of the federal government’s solidarity, describing the incidents as “desperate and frantic attempts” by terrorists under sustained pressure from Nigerian security forces .
Tinubu commended the military for repelling the assaults on their positions, noting that the assailants were increasingly weakened . He reiterated that the government would intensify operations against criminal elements nationwide, insisting that “there is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety” .
The president also disclosed that he had recently approved additional equipment and operational support for security agencies to boost their effectiveness, and directed emergency response agencies to ensure adequate medical care for those injured in the attacks .
Context of Escalating Violence
The recent wave of attacks represents a significant escalation in Nigeria’s 17-year insurgency, which has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced around two million . Boko Haram and its splinter faction ISWAP have intensified assaults on military bases in recent weeks in Borno, the epicentre of the conflict .
According to The ICIR’s investigation, many Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders who had previously surrendered returned to the battlefield after the Nigerian government allegedly failed to fulfil promises made to them, including pledges of housing and vocational training as part of their reintegration .
The military has warned that there may be increased attacks as Ramadan draws to a close, following the triple suicide bombing that killed 23 people in Maiduguri . A similar pattern was observed in 2024 and 2025 around Pulka and Gwoza .
Last month, the United States began deploying troops to Nigeria to provide technical and training support to the country’s soldiers in fighting armed groups . US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said 200 soldiers were expected to join the deployment overall, and also conducted air attacks on the northern state of Sokoto in December, in coordination with Nigerian authorities .
Operational Readiness Maintained
Despite the sustained insurgent campaign, military officials maintain that troops remain in control of all positions and continue to dominate the operational environment. Lt.-Col. Uba emphasized that the Joint Task Force remains resolute in defeating terrorist threats across the theatre of operations .
“The troops remain firmly in control of the locations and continue to dominate the operational environment with high morale, decisive firepower and sustained offensive action against terrorist elements,” he said .
As the military intensifies its counter-insurgency operations with renewed presidential backing and international support, the coming weeks will test whether Nigeria’s armed forces can sustain their defensive successes and translate them into lasting stability for the long-suffering northeastern region.
SOURCES / INPUTS
Gulf Times/AFP: At least 80 insurgents killed as Nigerian troops repel base assault: military
Daily Nigerian/NAN: Nigerian troops repel terrorist attacks at Azir Bridge, Banki — Military
Premium Times Nigeria: Troops repel midnight attack, kill over 60 terrorists in Borno — Army
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