27 Soldiers Killed In Jihadist Suicide Attack In Northeast Nigeria

At least 27 Nigerian soldiers were killed in a deadly suicide attack carried out by jihadists in the northeastern region of the country, two military sources revealed on Sunday.

The incident, which occurred on Friday evening, also left several troops critically injured.

According to the sources who spoke with TheGuardian, the attack took place around 8:30 pm GMT during a ground offensive aimed at Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in a notorious stronghold straddling Borno and Yobe states.

“The suicide attack killed 27 soldiers, including the commander, and left several others seriously injured,” one military officer stated.

Another officer highlighted the challenges posed by the timing and conditions, noting that the darkness hindered the troops’ ability to survey their surroundings thoroughly.

“It was dark, which made it difficult for the troops to have a clear view of the surroundings,” the officer said.

The attack reportedly involved a suicide bomber who rammed a vehicle packed with explosives into a convoy of advancing soldiers. The vehicle was said to have been concealed within thick foliage, making detection challenging.

Military officials have yet to release an official statement on the incident, and the names of the deceased soldiers, including the commander, remain undisclosed.

The Islamic State West Africa Province, which broke away from Boko Haram in 2016, has become a dominant force in the region, notorious for its sophisticated attacks on military and civilian targets.

The group has captured vast territories, including the Timbuktu Triangle and the Sambisa Forest, and is known for using roadside bombs and rigged vehicles to launch assaults.

In July 2024, a similar attack in a village where ISWAP is active claimed the lives of seven soldiers after their vehicle hit a landmine.

The 15-year-long insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 people and displaced nearly two million others.

The violence has also spread to neighbouring countries, including Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, prompting the establishment of a regional military force to combat the militants.