A yet-to-be-confirmed number of soldiers have been killed by militants from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād, in an attack on a military base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Military sources told SaharaReporters that the attack occurred on Thursday when the insurgents launched an assault on the military formation, firing sporadically and causing numerous casualties, including soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

“There was an attack, many soldiers were killed, but I don’t have the correct figure yet,” a source told SaharaReporters on Saturday.

During the attack, the gunmen burnt armoured tanks and military vehicles and made away with unquantifiable ammunition, the source added. ISWAP has subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.

Attached to the statement was a video of members shooting sporadically towards the military facility.

This comes a few days after seven military personnel, including a newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel, were killed in an ambush by the terrorists.

SaharaReporters had reported that Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed was leading a troop of soldiers from Maiduguri to Damasak, Mobbar Local Government area of Borno State, when they came under attack by the insurgents on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Military sources said the terrorists used explosives and heavy gunfire.

Apart from the dead bodies recovered, many other soldiers were seriously injured, while a yet-to-be ascertained number of personnel are also still missing.

Since the death of JAS leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has been consolidating its grip in locations around Lake Chad.

The sect’s membership has swollen with the defection of hundreds of Boko Haram fighters under Shekau.

The Nigerian Army has repeatedly claimed that insurgency has been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.

The terror group has caused over 100,000 deaths and displaced millions of people mainly in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states.